The effects of sildenafil ciltrate on the lateral geniculate body of adult Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)- A histological study

The histological effect of oral administration of sildenafil citrate (Viagra), commonly used as an aphrodisiac and for the treatment of erectile dysfunction on one of the visual relay centres namely the lateral geniculate body (LGB) of adult Wistar rat was carefully studied. The rats of both sexes (n=24), average weight of 202g were randomly assigned into three treatment (n=18) and control (n=6) groups. The rats in the treatment groups ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ received respectively, 0.25mg/kg, 0.70mg/kg and 1.43mg/kg body weight of sildenafil citrate base dissolved in distilled water daily for 30 days, through orogastric feeding tube, while that of the control group D, received equal volume of distilled water daily during the period of the experiment. The rats were fed with growers’ mash obtained from Edo Feeds and Flour Mill Ltd, Ewu, Edo State, Nigeria and were given water liberally. The rats were sacrificed on day thirty-one of the experiment. The lateral geniculate body (LGB) was carefully dissected out and quickly fixed in 10% formal saline for histological studies. The histological findings after H&E method indicated that the treated section of the lateral geniculate body (LGB) showed some varying degree of reduced cellular population based on its sparse distribution, degenerative changes, cellular hypertrophy, and intercellular vacuolations appearing in the stroma. Varying dosage and long administration of sildenafil citrate may have some deleterious effects on the neurons of the intracranial visual relay centre and this may probably have some adverse effects on visual sensibilities by its deleterious effects on the cells of the lateral geniculate body (LGB) of adult Wistar rats. It is therefore recommended that further studies aimed at corroborating these observations be carried out

Histological studies of the effects of oral administration of Aspilia africana (Asteraceae) leaf extract on the ovaries of female wistar rats

Histological studies of the effects of oral administration of extract of Aspilia africana, used in ethno medical practice in Africa for the management of various ailments, on the ovarian tissues of matured female Wistar rats were studied. The rats (n=24), average weight 182g were randomly assigned into two treatment (n=16) and a control (n=8) group. The rats in the treatment groups received 0.5g/kg and 1g/kg of aqueous extract of Aspilia africana orally through orogastric tube for fourteen days, while the control rats received equal volume of distilled water without the extract of Aspilia added. The rats were fed with growers’ mash and were given water liberally. The rats were sacrificed on day fifteen of the experiment. The ovary was carefully dissected out and quickly fixed in 10% formal saline for routine histological study after H&E method. The histological findings indicated that the treated sections of the ovary showed cellular hypertrophy of the theca folliculi, distortion of the basement membrane, degenerative and atrophic changes in the oocyte and zona granulosa. There were marked vacuolations appearing in the stroma cells. These findings indicate that Aspilia africana consumption may probably have adverse effects on the ovaries by its deleterious effects on the oocytes and stroma cells of ovary of adult Wistar rats. It is recommended that further studies aimed at corroborating these observations be conducted.Key words: Aspilia africana, Histological effect, theca folliculi, oocyte, cellular hypertrophy, vacuolations, ovaries and Wistar rats

A Comparative Analysis of Profitability of Broiler Production Systems in Urban Areas of Edo State, Nigeria

This study investigated the cost implications of raising broilers under the battery cage and deep litter system of poultry production. The data used in the study were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of broiler farmers in Edo State from October– December, 2013. A multi-stage sampling process was used to select the 211 respondents for this study. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and profitability ratios. The study showed that the mean age of farmers that adopted the battery cage system was 48 years and 46 years for the farmers that used deep litter system. The Gross Margin analysis gave a value of  ₦2,422.24 and a Net Farm Income (NFI) of  ₦2,412.40 per bird for battery cage system while the deep litter system had a gross margin of  ₦1,601.77 and NFI of  ₦1,593.80 per bird. The profitability ratios showed Rate of Return on Investment (RRI) of about 92%, Return on Labour (RL) of  ₦18.03, Return on Feed (RF)of  ₦144.22 and Return Per Naira Invested (RNI) of  ₦0.91 for the battery cage system as against RRI (71%), RL ( ₦30.28), RF ( ₦117.95) and RNI ( ₦0.71) for the deep litter system. This shows that both systems were profitable and viable in the study area. It was therefore concluded that farmers should be enlightened on the relative profitability/viability of the battery cage system of broiler production over the deep litter system in the study area, as a guide to future investment in the enterprise.Keywords: Battery cage, Cost, Deep litter, Net Farm Income, Viabilit

Management of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa: Comparing Nigeria and Cameroon

According to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon (2014), Displacement remains arguably the most significant humanitarian challenge facing the world. Of the 33.3 million IDPs in the world, Sub-Saharan Africa hosts 15 million, with an increase of 7.5% between 2013 and 2014. As the number of IDPs continues to increase, attempts at management become more challenging for riddled countries. Notably, global efforts at managing displacement have concentrated more on refugees than IDPs, yet the latter equally constitute a challenge to global civilization. Underpinned by the human needs theory, this study comparatively interrogates the management of internal displacement in Africa with focus on Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon. The study adopts the quantitative research design, employs survey method for data collection, and simple percentage as well as content analyses techniques for data analysis. With much focus on (dis)similarities in managerial stakeholders and their number, challenges, and degree of success recorded by both countries, it is summed that no one country is more successful than the other in IDPs management, rather both countries have a lot to learn from each other, and there is an urgent need to improve on the management of IDPs in both countries.Key Words: Cameroon, Conflict, Displacement, Internally Displaced Persons,Nigeria, Peac

Effects of Fermentation and Heating on the Functional Properties of Processed Flour from African Oil Bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla benth) Seeds

A comparative study was conducted to determine the effects of heat treatment and fermentation on the functional properties of African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla: Benth) seeds. The objective was to determine the nutritional benefits inherent therein, and the possible utilization of this plant food source as a complement in food formulation and improvement. The bean seed was broken to obtain the cotyledon, locally processed by fermentation and heat treatment, after which it was milled to obtain flour from the African oil bean. The control group of day 0 was not subjected to fermentation, but heat-treated and all other experimental groups (Day 1-7) subjected to fermentation and heating. The following selected physio-chemical properties were analyzed for the African oil bean seeds: water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity and bulk densities were determined; the emulsion capacity and whipping ability were also determined. The oil absorption capacity ranged from 0.66- 1.26 g/ml; water absorption capacity, 0.76-1.32 g/ml; emulsion capacity, 33.33-64.67 g/ml, emulsion stability after one hour, 6.00-63.33 g/ml, bulk density, 0.40-0.49 g/g and whipping ability, 0.00-0.93 g/ml. The processing methods adopted (fermentation and heating) to improve on the functional properties of the African oil bean seeds significantly affected (p<0.05) the bulk density, whipping ability, emulsion stability and Stability after one hour of experimental samples fermented and heat treated (Day 1-7) compared to the Day 0 sample that was only heated while there was, however, no statistical significance recorded for the oil absorption capacity and water absorption capacity in experimental Day 1-7 compared to the control (Day 0). The treatment, demonstrated improved functional properties of the African Oil bean seeds; likely to enhance the palatability of formulated foods. The treatment did not show significant improvement on the oil absorption capacity and water absorption capacity of the bean; however, there was enhanced oil and water functionality.Key words: Oil bean, Ugba, fermentation, heatin

Comparative evaluation of biochemical effects of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) fruit extracts on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

The therapeutic activity of date palm extracts (Phoenix dactylifera) against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity was studied in rats of the Wistar strain. Forty-eight (48) Wistar rats were assigned into 8 groups equally. Group I (normal control) were given distilled water for 14 consecutive days. Group II (negative control) received paracetamol (2 g/kg). Group III were pretreated with aqueous extract (400 mg/kg) for 7 days before receiving paracetamol (2 g/kg) for 7 additional days. Group IV were pretreated with aqueous extract (400 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days and paracetamol (2 g/kg) for 7 additional days. Group V– received 2 g/kg of paracetamol for 7days and given 400 mg/kg aqueous extract for additional 7 days. Group VI received paracetamol (2 g/kg) for 7days followed by ethanolic extract (400 mg/kg) for 7 additional days. Group VII were co-administered paracetamol (2 g/kg) and the aqueous extract (400mg/kg) for 7 days. Group VIII were co-administered paracetamol (2 g/kg) and ethanolic extract (400 mg/kg) for 7 days. To evaluate the efficacy of the extracts on paracetamol-compromised liver in Wistar rats, the enzyme activities of ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin concentration in serum were investigated. Treatment with aqueous and ethanolic extracts at different timing significantly (p<0.05) decreased paracetamol-induced elevation of serum concentrations of ALT, AST and bilirubin. Concurrent administration of the extracts with paracetamol conferred better hepatoprotection compared to the prophylactic and curative treatments. The present findings suggest a potential therapeutic use of Phoenix dactyliferia in treatment of liver diseases.Keywords: Phoenix dactylifera, hepatoxicity, extract, paracetamo

Socioeconomic determinants of credit need assessment of Fadama farmers in Delta State, Nigeria

The study examined the credit need of farmers involved in Fadama III programme in the three agricultural zones of Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically examined the constraints faced by them as well as tested the relationship between the farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and their credit needs. Data was collected using the questionnaire method administered to 176 Fadama farmers and was subjected to descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis and analysis of variance. The Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents revealed that Fadama participants were young with mean age of 45 years. They were highly educated (91%) and having some form of formal education. The respondents were of 14 years farming experience and 50.1% of them were married and they were faced with problem of getting credit facilities. It was found that both male and female farmers participated in the Fadama III programme. The average loan received by respondents from the Fadama III programme was N500,000. However, the desired credit volume by the respondents was about N920,000, suggesting a gap between what the farmers were given and what they actually needed. The coefficient of determination of the respondents at 0.05% shows that age (r = -0214), educational qualification (r = 0.180) and farming status (r = 0.157 correlated with their desired credit volume. The study concluded that Fadama III management should increase the volume of credit disbursed to the farmers and remove the bottlenecks in acquisition of credit &nbsp

Socio-economic characteristics of registered cocoa farmers in Edo State, Nigeria

This study examined the socio-economic characteristics of registered cocoa farmers in Edo State; Nigeria. Primary data was collected using a well structured questionnaire administered to 180 registered cocoa farmers selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and budgetary technique. Results showed that 88.9% of cocoa farmers were male with a mean range of 46 years with 75% being married and 88.8% having formal education. The budgetary technique was used to determine the profitability of cocoa production, which was found to be profitable in the study area at a gross margin of N66, 350, Net Farm Income of N59, 200, and net return on investment of N 1.11.The Benefit Cost Ratio and Expense Structure Ratio of 2.11 and 0.12 respectively indicated that cocoa production was economically profitable and viable since the BCR is greater than 1 and the Gross Ratio (GR) of cocoa production is 0.47. From these profitability ratios, it shows that cocoa production is a profitable business in the study area. Inadequate finance to operate on large scale was found to be the major constraint to the cocoa farmers in the study area. The study concludes that cocoa production is profitable and was recommended that production could be improved and sustained through provision of soft loans to the farmers.Keywords: socio-economics, characteristics, registered cocoa farmer

Effects of Allanblackia floribunda stem-bark Extracts on Oxidative stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rats Exposed to Crude Oil

The development of degenerative diseases has been linked to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that the changes caused by crude oil exposure contribute to the onset of degenerative diseases. There is little or no information on the anti-degeneration properties of Allanblackia floribunda. This study was carried out to investigate brain mitochondrial tissues exposed to crude oil and the effects of A. floribunda as a preventive and therapeutic intervention against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Twenty-five Wistar rats were divided into five groups: the control group received distilled water, the second group received ethanol extracts of A. floribunda, the third group received crude oil (5 mL/kg), the fourth and fifth groups received crude oil and A. floribunda extract concurrently (200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively). The results showed that crude oil treatment caused a significant increase in brain mitochondrial MDA levels and induced significant alterations in brain mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme activities compared with control. Treatment with the extract alone revealed a significant increase in protein carbonyl, conjugated dienes, and ATPases compared with crude oil-treated rats. This indicates that A. floribunda inhibited crude oil-induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and improved ATPase and antioxidant status in the rat brain mitochondria, which further suggests that A. floribunda possesses potential and may efficiently inhibit crude oil-induced oxidative damage and improve mitochondrial functions