Some chemical components of garden egg as affected by stage of fruit ripeness, storage temperature and duration of storage

Fresh fruits of garden egg were sorted into green, yellow bottom and yellow all over stages of fruit ripeness. Each set of fruits was stored at 40Cand 270C for up to 16 days, respectively. The effects of stage of fruit ripeness, storage temperature and duration of storage on some chemical components of garden egg were studied. Results of the moisture content, vitamin C content, titratable acidity and pH values showed that these chemical components were best when fresh and at the green stage. The chemical components determined retained higher quality under refrigerated storage compared with storage at room temperature. Statistically, the main factors and their interactions were found to have significant influences on these chemical components at 0.05 confidence level. The interaction of fruit ripeness and storage temperature had the least significant influence on the tested parameters. The least affected parameter was the pH value. Key words: Chemical components; garden egg; ripeness; storage Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol.4(2) 2003: 225-22

Fecundity and condition of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Family Claroteidae) in Yewa Lagoon, Nigeria

The minimum and maximum standard length of females caught was 8.0cm (14.5g body weight) and 14.6cm (53.4g body weight) respectively while the males were 10.1cm (19.8g) and 17.1cm (68.6g). The gonadosomatic index (GSI) for females ranged between 6.55 and 25.57 while males ranged between 5.68 and 16.55. Significant (P<0.05) relationships were observed between standard length, body weight, gonad weight and fecundity. There was significant (P<0.05) relationship between body weight and fecundity. Body weight and GSI had no significant (P>0.05) relationship with condition factor in C. nigrodigitatus in Yewa Lagoon. The condition factor (K) ranged between 1.58 and 2.92 for the females while males ranged between 1.08 and 2.79. The condition of female fish was slightly better than that of male fish of the same length.Keywords: Fecundity, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatu

Developing a competency-based medical education curriculum for the core basic medical sciences in an African Medical School

Funmilayo Eniola Olopade,1 Oluwatosin Adekunle Adaramoye,2 Yinusa Raji,3 Abiodun Olubayo Fasola,4 Emiola Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa5 1Department of Anatomy, 2Department of Biochemistry, 3Department of Physiology, 4Department of Oral Pathology, 5Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Abstract: The College of Medicine of the University of Ibadan recently revised its MBBS and BDS curricula to a competency-based medical education method of instruction. This paper reports the process of revising the methods of instruction and assessment in the core basic medical sciences directed at producing medical and dental graduates with a sound knowledge of the subjects sufficient for medical and dental practice and for future postgraduate efforts in the field or related disciplines. The health needs of the community and views of stakeholders in the Ibadan medical and dental schools were determined, and the “old” curriculum was reviewed. This process was directed at identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the old curricula and the newer competences required for modern-day medical/dental practice. The admission criteria and processes and the learning methods of the students were also studied. At the end of the review, an integrated, system-based, community-oriented, person-centered, and competency-driven curriculum was produced and approved for implementation. Four sets of students have been admitted into the curriculum. There have been challenges to the implementation process, but these have been overcome by continuous faculty development and reorientation programs for the nonteaching staff and students. Two sets of students have crossed over to the clinical school, and the consensus among the clinical teachers is that their knowledge and application of the basic medical sciences are satisfactory. The Ibadan medical and dental schools are implementing their competency-based medical education curricula successfully. The modifications to the teaching and assessment of the core basic medical science subjects have resulted in improved learning and performance at the final examinations. Keywords: competency-based medical education, curriculum revision, basic medical science, integratio