ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF TITHONIA DIVERSIFOLIA IN RODENTS

This study was carried out to assess the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potentials of aqueous extract of Tithonia diversifolia leaves in laboratory animals. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of aqueous extract of T. diversifolia leaves in laboratory animals were determined using carrageenan induced acute oedema model in rats, thermal and acetic-acid induced writhing tests were assessed in mice. Potentials of aqueous extracts of Tithonia diversifolia leaves at 400 mg/kg was assessed in rats and mice, which were compared with controls; a negative control given 10ml/kg distilled water, positive control groups administered with Indomethacin, aspirin, paracetamol and morphine. The mean percentage inhibition of increase in paw volume was highest in rats to which indomethacin was administered (85.65%), followed by rats administered aspirin (68.40%) which was comparable with that of rats dosed with 400mg/kg of Tithonia diversifolia leave extract (63.79 %). Also, extract increased significantly (P<0.05) the reaction time in the hot plate test (25.18 ª¤¡Þ 0.7*) /s and the percentage inhibition of writhing of (43.92%) was significant at (P<0.05) in groups dosed with the extract and highly comparable with the performance of paracetamol (49.64%) a standard analgesic agent. The study established the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of Tithonia diversifolia aqueous leaf extract

Effect of heat treatment during mechanical cracking using varieties of palm nut

Palm nut is characterized with unique physical and mechanical properties which determine performance of machine during cracking.  In this research work, commercially acceptable varieties of palm nut were selected, examined and periodically dried to temperature 120 ℃/h, 135 ℃/h, 150 ℃/h, 165 ℃/h and 180 ℃/h before cracking.  At 120 ℃/h, local, dura and tenera nuts moisture content were found to be: 12.5%, 12.0% and 12.0% respectively; at 135 ℃/h, 11.6%, 11.1% and 11.0% respectively; at 150 ℃/h, 10.7%, 10.2% and 10.0% respectively; at 165 ℃/h, 10.3%, 9.6% and 9.1% respectively; and at 180 ℃/h, 9.8%, 9.0% and 8.2% respectively. An improved automated palm nut cracker of 2004 model was used for the experiment and results shown that the highest throughput, functional efficiency and quality performance efficiency were  1,260 kg/h, 99.07% and 98.80% respectively while mechanical damage reduced to 0.20%.  Simple multiple linear regression model was used to establish the relation between machine and crop parameters. Keywords: drying, efficiency, cracker, effect, varieties, palm nut &nbsp

SITUATION OF RABIES IN A SOUTHWESTERN STATE OF NIGERIA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY (1997-2007)

Retrospective data from 1997 – 2007 on reported cases of rabies in human and animals as well as antirabies vaccination were collected from medical records and epidemiological sections of the various veterinary and human hospitals in the four socio-cultural zones of Ogun State. Suspected cases of rabies were reported in animals with 8 (88.90%) in dogs and 1(11.10%) in goat.  The study revealed that most cases occurred in the rainy season with August having the highest number of cases (38.3%). Similarly, 12 cases were reported in humans with 8(66.7%) males and 4(33.3%) in females.  Children between the ages 0-12 years accounted for 75% of all reported human rabies cases while 25% occurred in Adults.  Dogs were the only species implicated in these cases resulting into 100% mortality.  Routine antirabies vaccinations were conducted for 4,781 dogs and highest exposure was recorded for Egba Zone (62.85%) and lowest for the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Abeokuta (1.05%).  In conclusion, accurate record keeping on rabies cases in Animals and Humans as well as vaccination exposure are hereby recommend in order to give the true picture of  rabies in Nigeria.  Also mass vaccinations, control of stray dogs, public education on rabies and government subsidies on cost of vaccination are also recommended. &nbsp

Effect of Tillage Practices on Selected Engineering Properties of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Tubers

The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of tillage practices on selected engineering properties of cassava tubers. Two field tests were conducted between May 2014 to April 2015 and May 2015 to April 2016. Eight tillage practices utilized for the experiment were coded as; Ploughing + Harrowing (A), Ploughing + Harrowing + Ridging (B), Manual Ridging (C), Minimum Tillage (D), Ploughing + Harrowing + Manual Digging to a depth of 30 cm + Sawdust of 10 cm depth set at the base (E), Ploughing + Harrowing + Ridging + Sawdust of 10 cm depth set at the base (F), Manual Ridging + Sawdust of 10 cm depth put at the base (G) and Manual Digging to a depth of 30 cm + Sawdust of 10 cm depth put at the base (H). TMS 0581 improved cassava variety and two fertilizer rates 622.50 kg/ha and control were used. Randomized Complete Block Design was used. The experiment was 8x2x1 factorial combinations in split-split plot design with three replications. The effect of different treatments on selected engineering properties of cassava tubers were determined. The results showed that Ploughing + Harrowing (A) tillage practice was significantly different from other tillage practices and gave the most suitable selected engineering properties of size 10.53±0.64c cm, surface area 371.15±45.53bc cm2, sphericity 39.26±1.74a cm, roundness 21.40±3.29ab , bulk mass 21.43h kg, coefficient of static friction 2.73±0.06abc, compressive strain at break of 2.16±0.03e mm/mm, compressive load at break of 11698.90±178.71f N, compressive stress at break of 2.72±0.04d MPa, energy at break of 191.62±2.93e J, modulus automatic of 1.89±0.031c MPa, followed by F, G, D, C, E, H and B tillage practices respectively. The study had provided some engineering properties for engineers to develop efficient agricultural machines for handling and processing of fresh cassava tubers. Keywords: Evaluation, influence, tillage practices, engineering properties, cassava tubers

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACTS OF Gomphrena celosioides AND Momordica charantia

This   study  reports the   anti-inflammatory   and  analgesic  properties  of   aqueous leaf   extracts  of  Gom-        phrena celosioides and Momordica charantia in rats and mice.   Hot plate latency test and acetic acid        induced writhing movement method were used as the model for analgesic evaluation, while the carra-        geenan-induced rat paw oedema was used as the model for anti-inflammatory activity.    The result of        the study revealed that the leaf extracts of the two plants possess anti-inflammatory property as they        were found to significantly (p<0.05) inhibit oedema induced by carrageenan in the rat paws. The leaf        extract of Momordica charantia was also found to significantly (p<0.05) increase the reaction time of        the mice in hot plate test method, while the number of writhing movement of the mice was also signifi-        cantly(p<0.05) reduced in dose-dependent manner. Similar result was observed for mice treated with        extract   of  Gomphrena   celosioides. The  pilot toxicity   study   revealed   the   plants  to   have  appreciable        safety margin, but high dose of Momordica charantia could cause purgation in rats. The results of the        study   suggest   the   anti-inflammatory   and   analgesic   effects   of   the   aqueous   leaf   extracts   of   the   two        plants.&nbsp

Antispermatogenic Activity Of Morinda Morindoides Root Bark Extract In Male Wistar Rats

To investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of the root bark of Morinda morindoides (Rubiaceae) on the reproductive activity of male Wistar rats, three groups (A, B and C) of six rats each were treated with 400,800 and 1600 mg/kg/day of Morinda morindoides root bark extract respectively for 28 days while 5mls/kg of distilled water was given to the control group D. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed and sperm characteristics, histology of the testes and epididymis were assessed. Morinda morindoides root bark extract caused a significant reduction (p<0.05) in sperm motility, a significant dose dependent reduction in the sperm count and a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent increase in morphological abnormalities of the spermatozoa of the treated rats. Histopathological evaluation of the testis and epididymis revealed varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis of the germinal epithelia cell of the seminiferous tubules and spermiostasis. Morinda morindoides root bark extract has significant anti-spermatogenic effects on adult male Wistar rats which could impair reproductive activities in these male Wistar rats. &nbsp

Development of an active evaporative cooling system for short-term storage of fruits and vegetable in a tropical climate

An active evaporative cooler for short-term storage of fruits and vegetable has been developed to improve the shelf life of fruits and vegetables for small holder farmers in Southern Nigeria.  The evaporative cooler uses palm fruit fiber as cooling pad material which is considered a waste in palm oil production in Nigeria and consists of three suction fan, automatic water control switch, water pump and evaporative cooling chambers.  The performance of cooler was evaluated in terms of temperature drop, efficiency of the evaporative cooling and cooling capacity.  The temperature drop ranged from 40C to 130C while the relative humidity of the ambient air was increased to 96.8%.  The cooler could drop the temperature close to wet bulb depression of ambient air and provided up to 98% cooling efficiency with a maximum cooling capacity of 2,529 W.  At an ambient temperature of 370C, the evaporative cooler provided the storage conditions of 23.2 temperature and 85.6% – 96.8% relative humidity, which can enhance the shelf life of wide range of fruit and vegetables of moderate respiration rates.  The power consumption of the cooler was half that of a typical vapour compression refrigerator of the same volume.   Keywords: cooling capacity, cooling efficiency, evaporative cooling, temperature drop cerun:yes'> A throughput capacity of 66.06 kg h-1 was obtained at moisture content of 12.5% wet basis and 405 r min-1 while throughput capacity of treadle thresher was 55.51 kg h-1 at moisture content of 17% wet basis and 610 r min-1.    Keywords: cowpea, mechanical damage, moisture content, threshing efficiency, variet

ANNONA MURICATA LINN. ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT AMELIORATES REPRODUCTIVE COMPLICATIONS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine and metabolic disorder of humans and animals characterized by hyperglycemia and low blood insulin levels or insensitivity of target organs to insulin and it’s a major health problem affecting patient’s quality of life due to its many complications. Infertility is one of the major secondary complications in diabetes. Although numerous drugs have been used for intervention studies on diabetes-induced infertility worldwide, there are currently no treatments for diabetes associated infertility in humans. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Annona muricata ethanolic leaf extract (AMELE) on fertility of male diabetic rats and levels of blood glucose. Twenty male Wistar rats (150-200g) were randomly distributed into 4 groups (n=5) treated thus: CTRL (control), DNT, DT1 and DT2 (diabetic, single intraperitoneal injection, streptozotocin, 60 mg/kg). Group DT1 and DT2 received AMELE orally at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg respectively daily for fourteen days. Data were analysed using ANOVA at α0.05. The animals were sacrificed after 2 weeks via thiopental injection and testicular weights were recorded. Fasting blood glucose was determined using a digital glucometer. Sperm count, motility, viability and morphology were assessed microscopically. Testes were histologically evaluated. The results showed that oral administration of AMELE at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg to diabetic male rats for fourteen days significantly decreased blood glucose level and also ameliorated diabetes-induced decreases in sperm functions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.   &nbsp

Assessment of Economic and Environmental Impacts of Energy Conservation Strategies in a University Campus

Large institutions, such as universities, consume large amounts of energy daily.The quantity of energy consumed is continually rising due to an increase in student enrolment and expansion of energy facilities. Energy conservation practices are essential at the university campus as they decrease environmental impact and also reduce energy cost burdens on university management. Hence, it is essential to understand the pattern of energy consumption in the university campus to ensure the sustainability of energy usage, reduction in its costs and environmental impacts. This study takes a look at the energy consumption in Covenant University to provide recommendations that would help to decrease the energy consumption in the university. An energy audit was conducted on 18 selected buildings to determine the electrical appliances responsible for energy consumption in the selected buildings. Building energy models were constructed for each of the buildings using Quick Energy Simulation Tool (eQUEST Software) to run parametric simulations on the generated models. The utility bills of the university for the past five years (2014 – 2018) were examined for seasonal variation of energy consumption. The study revealed that there are several ways of energy wastage in the university.Additionally, suggestions on possible solutions to energy conservation strategies to reduce energy consumption in the facilities are presented. A qualitative analysis of two recommendations showed that over N30 million ($81,000) could be saved annually with a payback time of fewer than six years. Also, the implementation of these suggested recommendations could eliminate about 500 tons of CO2 emissions annually