Fisheries resources and developmental potentials of Usuma River in Gwagwalada, Abuja

A study on fisheries resources and developmental potentials of Usuma River in Gwagwalada, Ahuja was carried out between August and December, 2012 using standard methods and procedures. A total of sixteen (16) fish species belonging to nine (9) families were identified. The fish family Cichlidae was the most dominant by number representing 19.2% of the total catch. This was followed by the family Bagridae (17.5%) and family Cyprinidae (17.5%). There were more females than males which are an indication that with good monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) the production potential of the river will be high

Antioxidant and Antioxidant capacity of raw and processed Nigerian Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

Raw and processed Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) were assessed for the natural antioxidants; Total phenol, flavonoids, vitamin C using Folin-Ciocalteau, potassium acetate and dinitophenyl hydrazine. The antioxidant radical scavenging abilities were evaluated using 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) [ABTS] and ferric reducing antioxidant property [FRAP] respectively. Raw beetroots and the beetroot juice contained the highest amount of total phenol (98.08. ± 8.16mg/g and 98.08. ± 5.77mg/GAE/g) respectively. Oven dried beetroot have the lowest value for total phenol (94.23 ± 2.72mg/GAE/g. The heat treated beetroot had the highest flavonoids of 96.67±10.10mgGE/g. Flavonoids were lowest for the raw beetroot (63.34±4.72mg/QE/g). Oven dried and Beetroot juice have a total flavonoid value of 83.34 ± 4.471mg/GE/g and 83.34 ± 3.34mg/GE/g respectively. Vitamin C content was highest in Beetroot juice (44.34±2.84mgAAE/g) and lowest in heat treated beetroot (30.18±0.61mgAAE/g). Heat treated Beetroot have the highest value for ABTS scavenging ability. FRAP value (33.33 ±0.00) was highest in oven dried beetroot. Raw Beetroot and its juice possess significant antioxidant and radical scavenging abilities which correlated positively with the natural antioxidants. Heat treatment however, increased the flavonoids present in the beetroot samples with a corresponding increase in the ABTS and FRAP scavenging abilities (19.85± 4.15 and 33.33 ±0.00) respectively. Beetroot in its natural and processed form is a rich source of antioxidants and free antioxidants scavenging abilitiesKeywords: Antioxidants, Antioxidant capacity, free radicals, Beetroot

Antioxidant Properties of Phenolic Extracts of African Mistletoes (Loranthus begwensis L.) from Kolanut and Breadfruit Trees

Mistletoe (Loranthus begwensis L.) has been used ethno-botanically for the management of several tropical diseases for centuries; and the medicinal properties have been associated with their host plant. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the antioxidant properties of mistletoe from two host plants (breadfruit and kolanut trees). The result of the study revealed that mistletoe from kolanut tree (0.69 mg/g) had higher total phenol content than that of breadfruit tree (0.49 mg/g). Furthermore, the extracts chelate Fe2+ and scavenge DPPH radicals in a dose-dependent (0 – 30 mg/ml) pattern. Nevertheless, the EC50 revealed mistletoes from kolanut as having higher DPPH scavenging (15.77mg/ml) than that of breadfruit (16.29mg/ml), while L.begwensis from Breadfruit tree had higher Fe2+ chelating ability (1.97mg/ml) than that of Kolanut tree (2.23mg/ml). Likewise, mistletoe from kolanut (27.5mg/AAE g) had higher ferric reducing ability (FRAP) than that of breadfruit (22.0mg/AAE g). Although both mistletoe extracts showed promise as good antioxidant sources, the total phenol content and the antioxidant capacity pattern of the extracts suggest host dependency. Keywords: antioxidant, breadfruit tree, kolanut tree, Loranthus begwensis L

Modulatory effect of protocatechuic acid on cadmium induced nephrotoxicity and hepatoxicity in rats in vivo

Introduction: This study sought to investigate the effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA); a phenolic compound readily available in most plant foods on cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity and hepatoxicity in rats. Case description: Thirty six adult male rats weighing about 150–160 g were acclimatized for 2 weeks and subsequently divided into six groups: Group 1 rats received normal saline (control group), group 2 rats were administered 5 mg Cd/kg body weight in form of solution orally (induced group), groups 3 and 4 received cadmium solution and different doses of PCA (10 and 20 mg/kg body weight) respectively, while groups 5 and 6 were the normal rats administered different doses of PCA (10 and 20 mg/kg) respectively in an experiment that lasted for twenty one days. The animals were sacrificed, the blood was collected and the serum was subsequently prepared. Furthermore, the liver was excised, homogenized and centrifuged to obtain the tissue homogenate used for the analyses. The serum was used for the determination of the total protein, urea, creatinine and uric acid levels while the liver homogenate was used for the estimation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Discussion and evaluation: The result revealed that total protein level was reduced in cadmium induced toxicity rat group which was elevated upon treatment with PCA. Conversely, the elevated levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine in cadmium induced toxicity kidney rats were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in PCA treated groups. Similarly, marked elevation in the ALT, AST and ALP activity were observed in cadmium induced toxicity rat group when compared with the control group. However, significant (p < 0.05) decrease in ALT, AST and ALP activity were noticed in groups administered different doses of PCA. Conclusions: The results from this study suggest that PCA may protect against cadmium-induced toxicity in the kidney and liver

Traditional Fermented Condiments Modulate Biochemical Indices in High Cholesterol Diet-Fed Rats

Hypercholesterolemia is implicated in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and is identified as a common cause of mortality in this degenerative condition. Hence, CVD management strategy should include control of hypercholesterolemia. This study describes the effect of some legume condiments on biochemical indices in hypercholesterolemia rat model. Adult male Wistar rats were used for this study and hypercholesterolemia was induced by inclusion of 1% cholesterol in the rat feed. The animals were divided into five groups containing six animals each and were fed with diets supplemented with 16% fermented soybean, bambara groundnut and African locust bean. The study lasted for 30 days after which plasma was analyzed for the lipid profile and liver function marker enzymes and the liver tissue analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Elevated plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and MDA content showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in the rats fed with fermented legume condiment-supplemented diets, with a concomitant increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol as compared with the hypercholesterolemia control rats. This study revealed that fermented legume condiment-supplemented diets attenuate hypercholesterolemia and protect the liver of the experimental rats from oxidative damage, with African locust bean condiment displaying the best biological potential

The Influence of Maternal Education on Childhood Survival Among Married Couples of Childbearing Age in Edo State, Nigeria

The main target of this paper was about childhood survival and how to continuously sustain it for socio-economic development. Thus, the study examined the extent of influence which maternal education has on childhood survival among married couples in Edo State of Nigeria. A sample size of six hundred (600) respondents was drawn by multi stage sampling method. Data were collected by social survey method comprising questionnaire and interview. The researchers were mainly interested in answers to the following research questions. (i) What are the likely causes of childhood mortality in Edo State? (ii) Can medical interventions without mother’s education be effective enough to reduce childhood mortality? And (iii) Does maternal education positively influence a child’s health and survival? Data analyses were based on percentage. Findings revealed some likely causes of childhood mortality, and considered education as the bedrock which makes other variables more effective for any course of action. Thus, maternal education positively influences a child’s health and survival because educated mothers are more knowledgeable to seek medical advice for their children. However, some recommendations were made on how to boost and sustain child survival rate. Keywords: Childhood Survival, Maternal Education, Mortality, Nigeria. DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/63-04 Publication date: January 31st 202

In Silico Identification of Protein Targets for Drug-like Compounds from Epicarp Extract of Cola rostrata K. Shum

Fruit epicarp has been found to contain several bioactive compounds which are useful for herbal treatment of several ailments and diseases. The phytochemicals present in C. rostrata epicarp as well as their potential to bind to human proteins and modify their function have not been investigated. This study, therefore, identified the top protein targets of drug-like components of C. rostrata epicarp extract in humans as well as the disease conditions associated with the targets. The identities of constituents of methanol and n-hexane fractions of absolute ethanol extract of C. rostrata epicarp were determined via GCMS analysis. Druglikeness (adherence to Lipinski, Ghose, Veber, Egan, and Muegge filters) and the protein targets of drug-like constituents were determined using SwissADME and SwissTargetPrediction web tools. GCMS analyses revealed the presence of 49 compounds in the n-hexane and methanol fractions. Corynan-16-carboxylic acid, 16,17-didehydro-9,17-dimethoxy-, methyl ester, (16E)-, a yohimbine derivative, was abundant (13.33%) in the methanol fraction. The n-hexane fraction was rich in odd-chain fatty acids and phytosterols. Four drug-like compounds were identified in the fractions: (1) Azelaic acid, monoethyl ester; (2) 3-(2-Methoxymethoxyethylidene)-2,2 dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane; (3) Cyclododecanol, 1-aminomethyl-, and (4) Corynan-16-carboxylic acid, 16,17-didehydro-9,17-dimethoxy-, methyl ester, (16E)-. The predicted top protein targets of the drug-like compounds include carbonic anhydrase II, protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B, sphingosine kinase 1, maltase-glucoamylase, adenosine A2b receptor, P2X purinoceptor 7, MAP kinase p38 alpha, δ-opioid receptor, and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. Findings show that C. rostrata epicarp contains drug-like phytochemicals with potential against cancer, diabetes, pain and inflammatory diseases, and the extract could have aphrodisiac potential

Dynamic mechanical properties of crosslinked natural rubber composites reinforced with cellulosic nanoparticles

The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of crosslinked natural rubber nanocomposites reinforced with cellulosic nanoparticles obtained from lignocelluloses biomass (coconut husk, bamboo culm and cotton linters) has been investigated and compared with carbon black filled natural rubber vulcanizate. The crosslinked natural rubber matrix based composites were produced by melt intercalation process using two roll mixing mill and vulcanized in a thermally regulated hydraulic press. DMA were carried out in order to obtain their viscoelastic thermo-mechanical spectrum. Results showed decrease in storage modulus (E’) with increasing temperature while glass transition temperatures (Tg) obtained from temperature dependence loss tangent curves were -35.84, 37.30, -34.61, -35.27 and -34.29 oC for neat- natural rubber (NR), natural rubber reinforced carbon black (NR-CB), natural rubber reinforced bamboo cellulosic particles (NR-BNC), natural rubber reinforced coconut husk cellulosic particles (NR-CHNC) and natural rubber reinforced cotton linter particles (NR-CLNC) respectively. The composite of NR-CHNC was also found to give a higher damping factor of 1.563 compared to NR-CB which gave a value of 1.518. nanocomposites reinforced with cellulosic nanoparticles can provide adequate synergy for loading bearing and vibration isolation application.Keywords: Dynamic Mechanical Properties; Damping; Nanocomposites; Grass Transition Temperature

Antioxidative Properties and Inhibition of Key Enzymes Relevant to Type-2 Diabetes and Hypertension by Essential Oils from Black Pepper

The antioxidant properties and effect of essential oil of black pepper (Piper guineense) seeds on α-amylase, α-glucosidase (key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes), and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) (key enzyme linked to hypertension) were assessed. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and dried with anhydrous Na2SO4, and the phenolic content, radical [1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and nitric oxide (NO)] scavenging abilities as well as the ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) and Fe2+-chelating ability of the essential oil were investigated. Furthermore, the effect on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and ACE enzyme activities was also investigated. The characterization of the constituents was done using GC. The essential oil scavenged DPPH*, NO*, and ABTS* and chelated Fe2+. α-Pinene, β-pinene, cis-ocimene, myrcene, allo-ocimene, and 1,8-cineole were among the constituents identified by GC. The essential oil inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and ACE enzyme activities in concentration-dependent manners, though exhibiting a stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase than α-amylase activities. Conclusively, the phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and angiotensin-1 converting enzyme activities by the essential oil extract of black pepper could be part of the mechanism by which the essential oil could manage and/or prevent type-2 diabetes and hypertension

Use of Service-Wide-Vote (Contingency Budget) for National Development: Evidence from Federal Ministries, Departments And Agencies in Nigeria

This paper examines the use of service-wide-vote (Nigeria’s contingency budget) for national development. Documentary pieces of evidence have shown that the Federal government of Nigeria through its MDAs has grossly short-changed Nigerians through the year-in-year-out mismanagement of the service-wide-vote. The objective of this study is therefore, to evaluate the extent to which Federal MDAs in Nigeria have been able to use the service-wide-vote to achieve national developmental objectives. To what extent has the service-wide-vote been used to develop the Nigerian Nation? In order to provide an answer to the foregoing question, primary sources, scholarly journals and reputable online and library sources were used to obtain research materials.  The study revealed that federal MDAs and even the EFCC abused the service-wide-vote to the tune of over N4.17 trillion between 2004 and 2018 due to non-compliance with rules governing the use of the vote and this made it difficult for the national developmental objectives of the vote to be achieved. The following recommendations were therefore, suggested by the paper: allocation of 5 percent of the annual budget to service-wide-vote, regular replenishment of releases from the service-wide-vote, obtaining approval from the National Assembly before releasing funds from the vote, roll over of unspent funds, prosecution of corrupt MDA officials and avoiding those sharp practices that will make the use of the service-wide-vote ineffective in achieving national developmental objectives. Keywords: Federal MDAs, National Development and Service-wide-vote DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-10-06 Publication date:May 31st 201