Changes in catalase activities during malting of some improved Nigerian sorghum grain varieties

The catalase activities of ten germinating improved sorghum varieties were monitored over a 4-day period to determine the effect of malting on them. This was done using standard methods that involved catalase assay at the appropriate experimental intervals. Results obtained showed that the different varieties of sorghum differed in their expression of catalase, a difference that was also reflected across the different stages of the malting process. The highest overall catalase activity (20.54 ± 0.74 U) was given by variety SK5912 after 72 hours of germination followed in second place by that from variety Nafelen (18.65 ± 0.99 U) obtained after steeping. The third and fourth highest value (17.88 ± 1.24 U and 17.08 ± 1.64 U) were given by KSV8 and Boboje after 72 and 48 hours of germination respectively. These values are probably indications that no single stage of malting was best for catalase expression among all the varieties. However, the fact that most of them (varieties ICSV 400, SK5912 and KSV 8, CSRO2 and ICSV III) all expressed their highest catalase activities after 72 hours of germination showed that 72 hours is probably the best germination stage for the elicitation of catalase among sorghum grains. The next best stage should be after 48 hours during which point three varieties (Boboje, NRL 3 and KAT 487) had their highest catalase activities. As a unity, all the sorghum varieties had their lowest catalase expression after 24 hours of germination, followed by those obtained after 96 hours germination.Keywords: catalase, sorghum, malting, peroxidase, cereal enzyme

Small-for-gestational age, ponderal index and neonatal polycythaemia: A study of their association with maternal hypertension among Nigerian women

Background/Objective: To examine the influence of maternal hypertension on rate of delivery of small-for-gestation age (SGA) infants, incidence of neonatal polycythaemia and mean ponderal indices of the resultant newborn infants. Methods: From the birth weights and lengths, the ponderal indices of SGA infants born to mothers with chronic hypertension were compared with those of their counterparts born to mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension. In addition, the spun venous haematocrit values of 265 infants born to mothers whose pregnancies were complicated by hypertension were compared with those of 804 infants born to control mothers. Results: The rates of delivery of SGA infants were 82.0 and 54.7 per 1000 live births among hypertensive and normotensive mothers respectively (p>0.05). The prevalence of neonatal polycythaemia was 8.2% and 2.2% for infants of hypertensive and control mothers respectively (p<0.001). The rate of delivery of SGA infants was 18.6 times higher in mothers with chronic hypertension than in mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension (p<0.001). SGA infants born to mothers with chronic hypertension had normal mean ponderal index (≥ 2.3) while their counterparts born to mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension had low mean ponderal index (<2.3). The prevalence of neonatal polycythaemia was 52.9% and 5.0% in infants born to mothers with chronic hypertension and infant of mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: Maternal hypertension is associated with an increased incidence of neonatal polycythaemia and delivery of SGA infants. This risk is dramatically higher in women with chronic hypertension. Chronic maternal hypertension causes proportionate foetal growth retardation while pregnancy-induced hypertension causes disproportionate foetal growth retardation

Evaluation of the capacity of Pediatricians in Nigeria to conduct research: A nationwide survey

Background: Research is key to quality healthcare. Clinicians should possess adequate research capacity to generate evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the research capacity of pediatricians in Nigeria.Methods: The study was a crosssectional using a questionnaire developed from the Research Capacity Assessment Framework. Information on previous research work, challenges encountered, and utilization of research outcome were obtained. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.Qualitative variables were grouped under thematic headings.Results: Paediatricians who had received grants for research were 21 (19.4%). Those whose research outcomes had informed policy and practice were 20 (18.2%). Less than 40% of the participants had received training on research capacity areas.Conclusion: The research capacity among pediatricians was low partly due to underfunding and lack of research training programs. Improvement on government fund allocation for research and introduction of short research trainings programs will improve research capacity in Nigeria. Key words: Clinical research; Pediatrician; Research Capacity; Policy-Practice Chang