Utilization of spent millet from locally fermented drink (Burukutu) as experimental diets for Clarias gariepinus

Brewer’s waste is one of the promising carbohydrate and protein source by-products for fish diets. A 10-wk feeding trial experiment involving 10 different diets (10 diets for Spent millet, from locally fermented drink (Burukutu) with increasing levels of brewer’s waste (40% crude protein) was carried out to evaluate the use of spent millet, from Burukutu production in Clarias gariepinus diets in place of normal Corn. Growth performance was compared against a control diet formulated to have similar composition to a typical commercial diet. 10 experimental diets replaced successively 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% of the Corn carbohydrate with Spent millet from locally fermented drink, Burukutu.. The diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. A relatively good growth performance and nutrient utilization by Clarias gariepinus fed the test diets were observed. However, the results showed significant difference (p<0.05) in weight gain, SGR, FCR and RGR between treatments, with the control performing best. The result also showed that survival rate was high in all the treatment which indicate that, spent millet from burukutu production has no adverse effect on the experimented fish. Based on this research, it wasconcluded that 50% of the corn carbohydrate in a typicalcommercial diet could be replaced with spent grain (millet) from locally fermented drink (BKT) withno adverse effect on growth and feed utilization for Clarias gariepinus

Renal effect of atazanavir-ritonavir in pregnant albino rats

Background: Pregnancy could be associated with renal physiologic changes; hence the use of atazanvair/ritonavir (ATV/r) in pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) could be of safety concern due to its nehprotoxic potential. Objective: The present study was aimed at assessing the renal profile of atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) in pregnant albino rats. Methods: Thirty six pregnant albino rats were randomized into six groups (A-E) of n=6. Rats in groups A and B were treated with water and normal saline as placebo and solvent control respectively. Rats in groups C-F were orally treated daily with 4.28/1.43, 8.57/2.86, 17.1/5.7 and 34/11.4 mg/kg of ATV/r for 16 days. Rats were weighed, sacrificed and blood was collected and serum extracted. The serum was evaluated for creatinine (Cr), urea (U), uric acid (UA), total protein (TP), albumin (Ab), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), chloride ( Cl-) and bicarbonate (HCO3 -). Kidneys were harvested, weighed and evaluated for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Kidneys were also evaluated for histological damage. Results: ATV/r-treated groups did not show significant (p> 0.05) changes in the body weight, kidney weight and serum electrolytes, however; serum levels of Cr, U, UA were significantly (p< 0.05) increased whereas Ab and TP were significantly (p< 0.05) decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Kidney SOD, CAT, GSH and GPX levels were significantly (p< 0.05) decreased whereas MDA levels were significantly (p< 0.05) increased in a dose dependent manner in ATV/r-treated rats. Varying degrees of histological damage were observed in the kidneys of ATV/r treated rats. Conclusion: This study observed dose-dependent nephrotoxic effects in ATV/r-treated pregnant albino rats. Keywords: Atazanavir/ritonavir; Kidney, Toxicity, Pregnant; Rat

Levels of Lipid Peroxidation Products in Fried Protein and Carbohydrate Foods Sold in an Institution of Higher Learning in North Central Region of Nigeria

Four typical local protein foods namely fried beans (akara), fish, beef and chicken and five carbohydrate foods namely buns, fried yam, potatoes, plantain and jellof rice as commonly consumed in the institution were evaluated for malondialdehyde and malonaldehyde levels as part of nutritional evaluation by our research group. The fried foods were purchased from food vendors within the University and lipid peroxidation assays carried out using standard methods. The levels of lipid peroxidation by malondialdehyde in akara, bony fish, chiken and beef were 3.88±1.29, 3.39±1.13, 3.86±1.30 and 2.75±1.38 respectively. In the same manner, the levels of lipid peroxidation aldehydes were 3.43±1.14, 3.87±1.29, 1.51±0.75 and 1.66±1.66 for akara, fish, beef and chicken respectively. Among the carbohydrate foods, buns and fried yam had the highest level of malondialdehde and malonaldehyde while the fried plantain, potatoes and jellof rice contained less of the peroxidation products. All the protein and carbohydrate samples contained degradation products of lipid peroxidation and various levels of deteriorations. The lipid hydrogen peroxide and carbonyls detected call for caution in using frying as a local preparation method of carbohydrates and proteins. Keywords: lipid peroxidation, frying, carbohydrate, protein

DIMINISHING VALUE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

It is the responsibility of one generation to pass down ethics, information, morals and values to the upcoming generations. This can be done but not effectively without a viable educational system. Tertiary education in Nigeria is tragically becoming neglected by the vast majority of the population. The government alone cannot satisfactorily provide the necessary resources needed in order to boost the value and importance of tertiary education. A sample study was taken from selected tertiary institutions in Nigeria in order to elucidate the impacts they have had in providing tertiary education to their immediate community. The findings show that age was a major factor in the declining need of acquiring tertiary education, which influenced skill and knowledge acquisition. The results of the study suggest that for the value of tertiary education in Nigeria to increase, much effort should be put into informing the majority of the population on the importance of education as a whole

Safety, anti-inflammatory and analgesic assessments of methanolic extract of Musa paradisiaca peel in Sprague Dawley rats

Background: Musa paradisiaca peel is used in folklore for the treatment of inflammation and pains without any scientific evidence. Objective: The present study, therefore, evaluated the safety, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the methanolic extract of M. paradisiaca peel. Methods: The methanolic extract of M. paradisiaca was administered orally in three different doses; 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg to Sprague Dawley rats. The anti-inflammatory effect of M. paradisiaca peel was tested in egg albumin-induced paw edema and compared to ibuprofen (25 mg/kg). The analgesic effect was evaluated using formalin-induced paw licking and acetic acid-induced writhing and compared to indomethacin (10 mg/kg). Also, after 21 days of extract administration rats were sacrificed serum was extracted from blood and evaluated for liver, renal function indices and lipid profile. Kidney and liver were excised and weighed. Results: The methanolic extract of M. paradisiaca produced analgesia and decreased inflammation significantly (p<0.05) and in a dose dependent manner. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were significant (p<0.05) at 400 mg/kg of M. paradisiaca when compared to ibuprofen (25mg/kg) and indomethacin (10mg/kg) respectively. Furthermore, M. paradisiaca did not produce significant (p>0.05) effects on organ weight, serum alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases, conjugated bilirubin, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, glucose, creatinine, urea, uric acid, total protein, albumin, and serum electrolytes  when compared to control. Conclusion: This study observed that the methanolic extract of M. paradisiaca peel has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and may be safe with use. Key words: Musa paradisiaca, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, toxicity, rat

Rural-Urban Differences in Maternal Responses to Childhood Fever in South East Nigeria

Childhood fevers due to malaria remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality among under-five children in Nigeria. The degree of vulnerability perceived by mothers will affect their perception of the severity and threat of their child's fever and the patterns of health care use. This study was undertaken to compare maternal responses to childhood fever in urban and rural areas of Enugu, south east Nigeria.Data was collected with pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaires from 276 and 124 urban and rural households respectively. In each household, only one woman aged 15-49 years who had lived in each of the urban and rural communities for at least one year and had at least one child less than 5 years old was interviewed. Malaria was mentioned as the commonest cause of childhood fevers. Rural mothers were more likely to recognize danger signs and symptoms than urban mothers. Rural mothers use more of informal than formal health services, and there is more home management of the fever with urban than rural mothers. Chloroquine, ACT, SP and Paracetamol are the main drugs given at home for childhood fevers, but the rural mothers were more likely to use leftover drugs from previous treatment to treat the fevers than urban mothers. The urban respondents were also more likely to use a preventive measure. Urban mothers sought actions faster than rural mothers and the total cost of treatment was also higher in urban areas.Both urban and rural mothers are aware that malaria is the major cause of childhood fevers. Although rural mothers recognize childhood fever and danger signs better than urban mothers, the urban mothers' responses to fever seem to be better than that for rural mothers. These responses and differences may be important for geographical targeting by policy makers for malaria interventions

Retail sector distribution chains for malaria treatment in the developing world: a review of the literature

BACKGROUND: In many low-income countries, the retail sector plays an important role in the treatment of malaria and is increasingly being considered as a channel for improving medicine availability. Retailers are the last link in a distribution chain and their supply sources are likely to have an important influence on the availability, quality and price of malaria treatment. This article presents the findings of a systematic literature review on the retail sector distribution chain for malaria treatment in low and middle-income countries. METHODS: Publication databases were searched using key terms relevant to the distribution chain serving all types of anti-malarial retailers. Organizations involved in malaria treatment and distribution chain related activities were contacted to identify unpublished studies. RESULTS: A total of 32 references distributed across 12 developing countries were identified. The distribution chain had a pyramid shape with numerous suppliers at the bottom and fewer at the top. The chain supplying rural and less-formal outlets was made of more levels than that serving urban and more formal outlets. Wholesale markets tended to be relatively concentrated, especially at the top of the chain where few importers accounted for most of the anti-malarial volumes sold. Wholesale price mark-ups varied across chain levels, ranging from 27% to 99% at the top of the chain, 8% at intermediate level (one study only) and 2% to 67% at the level supplying retailers directly. Retail mark-ups tended to be higher, and varied across outlet types, ranging from 3% to 566% in pharmacies, 29% to 669% in drug shops and 100% to 233% in general shops. Information on pricing determinants was very limited. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence on the distribution chain for retail sector malaria treatment was mainly descriptive and lacked representative data on a national scale. These are important limitations in the advent of the Affordable Medicine Facility for Malaria, which aims to increase consumer access to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), through a subsidy introduced at the top of the distribution chain. This review calls for rigorous distribution chain analysis, notably on the factors that influence ACT availability and prices in order to contribute to efforts towards improved access to effective malaria treatment