Some Physiological Responses of Clarias gariepinus Fed Graded Levels of Cirina forda Larvae Based Diets

The study examined the growth performance, hematological and digestive enzymes of Clarias gariepinus juveniles fed Cirina forda meal (CFM) based diets in the laboratory for a period of 10weeks. Five iso-nitrogenous (30%) experimental diets were formulated at various levels of CFM inclusion levels of 0% (control), 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%, designated as diets Q, A10, B20, C30, D40 and E50 respectively. Fish fed the CFM based diets showed mean weight gain (MWG), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) comparable to the control diet. There was significant differences in the digestive enzyme activities of the fish as the CFM level in the experimental diets increased. Protease and maltase activities significantly increased, with diet C30 recording the highest maltase activity (4.37) while the cellulase and glucanase activities of the fish significantly (P0.05) between the PCV and RBC of the blood of the fish fed the various diets. Highest RBC (2.75 x106/µL) was obtained in fish fed the control diet while the lowest (2.55 x106/µL) was recorded in the fish fed diet E50. The White Blood Cell count and the Neutrophils of the fish fed the trial diets were not significantly higher (P>0.05) than those of the fish fed the control diets. From the results of this experiment, it is concluded that up to 50% inclusion level of Cirina forda meal in the diet of Clarias gariepinus was tolerable for good growth and physiological well-being of the fish

Reactive Sulphydryl Groups in Horse Carbonmonoxyhaemoglobin

Background and Objective: Reactive sulphydryl groups in haemoglobin has been related with oxygen binding. In this study, the researchers analyzed the reactive sulphydryl groups in horse (Equus ferus caballus) carbonmonoxyhaemoglobin. Materials and Methods: Hemolysate gotten from fresh horse blood was converted to yield the carbonmonoxy derivative. It was then separated via carboxymethylcellulose into major and minor fractions of haemoglobin. These fractions were titrated with Ellmanʼs reagent (DTNB) and p-hydroxymercuri(II)benzoate (p-MB) stock solutions in increasing volumes. Results: Results showed that two sulphydryl groups reacted with DTNB and p-MB in both major and minor haemoglobin fractions. p-MB is known to be more reactive with thiols than DTNB, on the other hand the reactivity is the same with horse carbonmonoxyhaemoglobin. Conclusion: This study will enable a better understanding as regards the kinetics and equilibrium behind this reaction

Effects of antibiotic, probiotic and prebiotic supplementation in broiler diets on performance characteristics and apparent nutrient digestibility

A total of 180-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were used to determine the effects of antibiotic, probiotic and prebiotic supplementation in broiler diets on performance characteristics and apparent nutrient digestibility in an 8-week feeding trial. The birds were randomly allotted to 5 dietary treatments including control diet (basal diet without additives), OXYT diet (basal diet with 600 ppm of the antibiotic oxytetracycline), GRO-UP diet (basal diet with 500 ppm probiotic), and MOS-500 or MOS-1000 diets (basal diet with 500 or 1000 ppm mannan oligosaccharide prebiotic, respectively) with 3 replicates of 12 birds each. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in the performance of broiler chickens except for reduction in mortality in the birds fed with feed additives. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in the apparent nutrient digestibility at the end of weeks 4 and 8. Inclusion of dietary prebiotic and probiotic had no significant effect on broiler performance but reduced mortality rate and enhanced apparent nutrient digestibility.Keywords: antibiotic, probiotic, prebiotic, broilers, performance, nutrient digestibilit

Reactive Sulphydryl Groups in Horse Carbonmonoxyhaemoglobin

Background and Objective: Reactive sulphydryl groups in haemoglobin has been related with oxygen binding. In this study, the researchers analyzed the reactive sulphydryl groups in horse (Equus ferus caballus) carbonmonoxyhaemoglobin. Materials and Methods: Hemolysate gotten from fresh horse blood was converted to yield the carbonmonoxy derivative. It was then separated via carboxymethylcellulose into major and minor fractions of haemoglobin. These fractions were titrated with Ellmanʼs reagent (DTNB) and p-hydroxymercuri(II)benzoate (p-MB) stock solutions in increasing volumes. Results: Results showed that two sulphydryl groups reacted with DTNB and p-MB in both major and minor haemoglobin fractions. p-MB is known to be more reactive with thiols than DTNB, on the other hand the reactivity is the same with horse carbonmonoxyhaemoglobin. Conclusion: This study will enable a better understanding as regards the kinetics and equilibrium behind this reaction

Energy generation from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste, cow dung and piggery dung.

The study investigated bioenergy generation from anaerobic co-digestion of food wastes (FW), cow dung (CD) and piggery dung (PD). The physicochemical parameters of the substrates were determined before and after digestion following standard procedures after mechanical pretreatment. Throughout the study, pH remained slightly alkaline while temperature varied between 26 and 32 °C. The highest cumulative biogas yield of 0.0488 L was recorded from the digestion of FW + CD + PD on the ninth day. After analyses, the highest methane content of 64.6 was obtained from the digestion of FW + PD while the lowest (54.0%) was from the digestion of FW only. Overall, cumulative biogas production for the four digestion regimes followed the order: FW + CD + PD, FW + PD, FW + CD and FW only respectively. Accumulation of VFAs was recorded at a slow rate during the digestions

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Organic and inorganic fertilizer for vegetable production under tropical conditions

The use of commercial organic fertilizer is being encouraged in place of inorganic fertilizer in soil fertility improvement in Oyo State of Nigeria. This study was designed to determine if switching to from inorganic to organic fertilizer could be profitable. We took a case study of users of commercial organic fertilizer (UCOF) and users of inorganic fertilizer (UIF) in vegetable production. Nested sampling technique was used in selecting UCOF and UIF. Primary data on quantities and prices of vegetable production inputs and output were collected and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, partial budgetary technique and importance ranking. Results indicated both the UCOF and UIF used less than the recommended quantities of fertilizer and obtained less than the optimal yield. However, the UCOF on the average used more level of organic fertilizer that supply more soil nutrient though at higher cost. Yet they obtained higher vegetable yield (9169 kg?ha-1) and a marginal rate of return of 229%. However, either a marginal 2.6% decrease in each of yield or price of vegetable or a 32.4% increase in price of commercial organic fertilizer will make commercial organic fertilizer technology not superior to inorganic fertilizer. The identified constraints to the use of commercial organic fertilizer by UIF in descending order of importance are offensive odour, doubtful efficacy, heavy weed infestation, unavailability and bulkiness of commercial organic fertilizer which if eliminated will boost the demand for and allow the enjoyment of the additional benefits of commercial organic fertilizer

Relationship between water physico-chemical parameters and growth of Brycinus macrolepidotus (Valenciennes, 1850) in Akomoje water reservoir, Ogun State, Nigeria

Water pollution is a major topic in many fisheries and aquaculture conferences, seminars and workshops as the performance and survival of any fish species depends on its environment. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between physico-chemical parameters of water and growth of Brycinus macrolepidotus in Akomoje water reservoir, South-West, Nigeria. Water parameters were measured using standard methods. Length and weight of sampled fish were also determined to the nearest 0.1 cm/g using standard equipment. Relationship between water features and length, weight was determined by correlation. All data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in temperature and dissolved oxygen (28.3 - 28.5 oC and 7.6–8.2 mg/l) during the study while pH, transparency, nitrate and phosphate varied significantly. Levels of pH dropped at the peak of the dry months (January) to the onset of the rains (April). Spatial variation in all parameters was not significant (p>0.05). Length and weight were higher during the wet months (29.24–31.16 cm and 625.22-756.18 g) than in the dry months (24.45–28.81 cm and 385.71-639.20 g) with maximum recorded in June. Positive relationship was observed between length, weight and temperature. Conclusively, dissolved oxygen and temperature were within optimum range for fish growth during the study. Transparency, pH, nitrate, and phosphate were influenced by the seasons. Correlation was established between growth and water parameters

CONDITION FACTOR AND DIETARY COMPOSITION OF Oreochromis niloticus FROM ERO DAM IN IKUN EKITI, EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

This study focused on the condition factor and dietary composition of Oreochromis niloticus in Ero dam, Ekiti State, Nigeria during which a total of 84 specimens of the fish species were examined. In this study, the condition factor (K) of the fish species was higher than 1 and ranged between 3.15 and 4.71 in the males and 3.16 – 4.37 in the females. This showed a good health condition of the fish species. Analysis of the stomach contents of the specimens using frequency of occurrence and numerical abundance method revealed O. niloticus to be an omnivore with phytoplankton as the dominant food item followed by Copepods, Amoeba and insect parts. Results also showed that 90.48% of the sample had food in the stomach while 9.52% were empty

Antimicrobial activity of eleagnine isolated from the seed cotyledons of Chrysophyllum albidum

This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of eleagnine, a β-carboline alkaloid isolated from seed cotyledons of Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don Holl (Sapotaceae), and determined factors affecting it. Antimicrobial activities of eleagnine were determined using the agar diffusion and microdilution methods against selected typed organisms (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida spp.), clinical isolates (S. aureus, E. coli) and Trichophyton. The effects of inoculum size and pH on the bacteriostatic activity were studied using agar and broth dilution methods. Bactericidal/fungicidal activities were also evaluated using viable count technique. Cytotoxicity was determined using brine shrimp lethality test. Eleagnine showed higher bacteriostatic activity against Gram-positive organisms and Candida spp. than Gram-negative bacteria but showed no activity against Trichophyton. The MIC of eleagnine obtained by microdilution tests ranged from 9.77 μg/mL against S. aureus, 156.25 μg/mL for C. albicans to 312.5 μg/mL for E. coli and P. aeruginosa. Inoculum size (105-107 orgs/mL) did not appreciably affect activity but pH from 5.85 to 8.09 increased the activity against S. aureus and E. coli, suggesting the unionized form as the active compound. Eleagnine (100-400 μg/mL) produced a 4-5 log survivor reduction of S. aureus and E. coli in 30 min. LC50 of eleagnine was 18.8 mg/mL indicating minimal cytotoxicity. This study showed that eleagnine is bactericidal with low cytotoxicity. Factors affecting its activity (pH, solvent) could be optimized in developing effective antimicrobial products alone or in combination with other agents.Keywords: Eleagnine, Chrysophyllum albidum, antimicrobial, inoculum size, p