Introduction of higher currency notes in Nigeria and the dynamics of inflation (1980-2014)

The dynamics of inflationary trends, which has been a macroeconomic concern in Nigeria over the last decade, is considered to be very hazardous to the aggregate economic activity of any country. In order to determine the practical effect of higher currency note introduction on the Nigerian economy, an empirical investigation on the casualty between inflation, currency denomination, fiscal deficit and broad money supply was carried out using the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) and the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) Model (Forecast Variance and Impulse Response) model. Time series data of 1980 to 2014 were employed and the results confirm that in the long run there is a relationship between inflation, currency denomination, fiscal deficit and broad money supply. The Cholesky ordering (currency denomination, inflation, fiscal deficit and broad money supply) is used in the VAR estimates, which indicates that the shocks in currency denomination affect the other variables and result to inflation. It is therefore recommended that the Nigerian government should implement inflation management policies and also ensure that lower currency notes in circulation are more than higher currency notes in circulation

Evaluation of the potency of Newcastle disease vaccine from veterinary outlets in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Vaccination against Newcastle disease (ND) is the most reliable tool in its prevention and control, it is therefore important that vaccines used are of good quality. This study was conducted to assess the quality of live ND vaccines sold in Abeokuta over a six months’ period. Live Newcastle disease vaccines were purchased from ten different veterinary sales outlets and their antigenic titres were determined using Hemagglutination assay (HA). The results revealed a difference in antigenic titres amongst the various ND vaccines sold in Abeokuta with only 20.33 % having high titre, 55.9 % having an average titre, and 23.7 % having low titre. The vaccine titres varied between different brands with storage and handling as contributing factors to the variations. Antigenic titre contained in vaccines properly stored showed significantly (p<0.05) higher antigenic titre and vaccines that were close to their expiration dates had lower titres. Newcastle disease vaccines in Abeokuta are of average titres, it is therefore necessary that adequate evaluation of ND vaccines be recommended before use in flocks and owners of vaccine sales outlets be educated on the need for proper handling and storage of these biologicals

Microanatomical effects of ethanolic extract of Cola nitida on the stomach mucosa of adult wistar rats

The study investigated the microanatomical effects of the extracts of Cola nitida on the stomach mucosa of adult male Wistar rats. Twenty adult male wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups of A, B, C and D (n=5). Animals in experimental groups B, C and D were given 600mg/kg body weight of crude extract of Cola nitida each by oral intubation for five, seven and nine consecutive days respectively, while group A (control) received equivalent volume of distilled water. Twenty four hrs after the last administration, the animals were sacrificed; tissues were harvested and fixed in 10% formol saline for histological analysis. The study revealed necrotized surface epithelium, degenerated gastric mucosa, and loss of glandular elements in the stomachs of experimental groups’ vis-à-vis the control group. These observations were days-dependent; as those groups which received the extract for higher number of days were seen to be adversely affected. In conclusion, Cola nitida at 600mg/kg body weight can cause gastric lesion in animals. This lesion may be pronounced if the administration continued for days. Cola nitida should, therefore, be taken with caution to avoid gastric complications.Keyword: Cola nitida, necrotized, degenerated, stomach mucosa, microanatomy, glandular element

Efficient biotransformations in Cunninghamella elegans and Streptomyces sp. JCM9888 of selectively fluorinated benzoic acids to the corresponding benzamides and benzyl alcohols

Support was received from the Commonwealth Scholarship Council for a Split Site Studentship (OO) and also from the Royal Society of Chemistry for a travel Grant (C.I).An efficient conversion of ortho, meta and para fluoro- and trifluoromethyl-substituted benzoic acids to the corresponding benzamides in fermentations of the soil bacterium Streptomyces sp. JCM9888 is described. We also report the efficient reduction of the same class of substrates to the corresponding benzyl alcohols with the fungi Cunninghamella elegans. These biotransformations were surprisingly efficient and may have value as disruptive technologies in process chemistry.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Effects of Dietary Supplemental Vitamins and Periods of Administration on Growth Performance and Antibody Titre of Broiler Chickens Vaccinated against Newcastle Disease

This study investigated the effects of supplemental vitamins and varying administration periods on growth performance and antibody titre of broiler chickens vaccinated against Newcastle Disease (ND). A total of 300 unvaccinated against ND Arbor Acre day-old chicks were used for the study for 8 wk. Birds were brooded together on day 1 of age, and 30 chicks were selected randomly for evaluating the maternally derived antibody titre against ND. At 2 days of age, the remaining 270 chicks were divided based on weight equalization into 9 treatment groups and replicated thrice. The 9 treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of 4 supplemental vitamins (A, C, E and combination of A, C, E) and 2 periods of administration (3 days pre- and post-ND vaccinations) with a control. The birds were managed intensively throughout the experimental period, ND vaccines were administered on the 5th (i/o) and 24th (Lasota) day of age, respectively. Supplemental combined vitamins A, C and E at 0.15, 16.67 and 3.03 mg/kg, respectively, resulted in higher (P < 0.05) final body weight of 1785.00 g/bird and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 2.89. Also, birds fed vitamin A supplemented diet 3 d pre-i/o vaccine had higher (p<0.05) serum antibody titre (75.20) against ND while higher (p<0.05) serum antibody titre (741.33) was also obtained in birds fed diet supplemented with vitamin E 3 d post-Lasota vaccination. Conclusively, broiler chickens diets can be supplemented with combined vitamins A, C, and E for better growth performance measured as final body weight and FCR, in addition, vitamins A (0.45mg/kg) and E (9.1mg/kg) dietary supplementation at 3 d pre-i/o and 3 d post-Lasota vaccines, respectively, can be adopted for improved antibody production

Effect of dietary supplementation of neem oil (Azadirachtaindica) on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned rabbits

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of neem oil (Azadirachtaindica) on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned rabbits. A total of 50 weaned male cross bred rabbits between 5-6 weeks with an average weight of 565.4g-566.8gwere divided into five dietary groups of ten (10) weaned rabbits each in a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments include a control, T1 (basal) diet with no neem oil (NOL), T2, T3, T4 and T5 were fed basal diet supplemented with NOL at 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% respectively. Feed and water were offered ad libitum throughout the experiment which lasted for 12 weeks. The data obtained was used to evaluate the growth performance: weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality and nutrient digestibility (dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract). WG, ADFI, TFI were significantly (P˂0.05) different among the treatments. T5 had the highest weight gain (755.90 g) followed by T4(734.0g), T3(705.90g), T2(705.0g) and T1(621.80g) respectively. Highest mortality was recorded in T1 (2%) followed by T2 (1%), none was recorded in T3, T4 and T5. Neem oil significantly influenced (P˂0.05) all the parameters measured. It could be concluded thatneem oil contains some essential nutrients and bioactive chemicals and could be supplemented in the diet of rabbit at 0.4 % without any deleterious effect on the general performance of the animal

Effect of dietary supplementation of neem oil (Azadirachtaindica) on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned rabbits

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of neem oil (Azadirachtaindica) on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned rabbits. A total of 50 weaned male cross bred rabbits between 5-6 weeks with an average weight of 565.4g-566.8gwere divided into five dietary groups of ten (10) weaned rabbits each in a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments include a control, T1 (basal) diet with no neem oil (NOL), T2, T3, T4 and T5 were fed basal diet supplemented with NOL at 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% respectively. Feed and water were offered ad libitum throughout the experiment which lasted for 12 weeks. The data obtained was used to evaluate the growth performance: weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality and nutrient digestibility (dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract). WG, ADFI, TFI were significantly (P˂0.05) different among the treatments. T5 had the highest weight gain (755.90 g) followed by T4(734.0g), T3(705.90g), T2(705.0g) and T1(621.80g) respectively. Highest mortality was recorded in T1 (2%) followed by T2 (1%), none was recorded in T3, T4 and T5. Neem oil significantly influenced (P˂0.05) all the parameters measured. It could be concluded thatneem oil contains some essential nutrients and bioactive chemicals and could be supplemented in the diet of rabbit at 0.4 % without any deleterious effect on the general performance of the animal

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of FERETIA APODANTHERA root bark extracts

Abstract Background Inflammation has been implicated in many disorders, including cancer and available therapies elicit adverse effects. Plants of the family Rubiaceae have shown potency against inflammation. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential of Feretia apodanthera was investigated in this study to evaluate its effectiveness. Methods The phytochemical, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of root bark (n-Hexane, diethyl ether, ethanol and aqueous) extracts of Feretia apodanthera was investigated in this study. The extracts were subjected to various chemical tests for phytochemical constituents; their antioxidant activity was determined using in-vitro DPPH radical scavenging activity assay and their anti-inflammatory activity was determined using carrageenan induced paw oedema model. FTIR and GCMS analysis was done to determine the compounds present. Results Phytochemical screening of extracts revealed the presence of unsaturated steroids, triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, tannins, saponin and alkaloids. Vitamin C had a median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.038 mg/ml which was lower than IC50 of all the extracts. Of all the extracts, ethanol extract had the lowest IC50 (0.044 mg/ml) which is comparable to vitamin C. Anti-inflammatory studies showed that the inflammation inhibition potential of 400 mg/kg body weight of all the extracts was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the standard ketoprofen (50 mg/kg) at the first three hours but significantly higher (p < 0.05) at the fourth hour. At the fifth hour, the inflammation inhibition potential of diethyl ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the standard. FTIR analysis showed the presence of ketones, amines, alkenes and carboxylic groups. GCMS analysis revealed compounds that are potential anti-inflammatory agents. Conclusion This study revealed that extracts of Feretia apodanthera possess anti-inflammatory effects against right hind paw oedema of albino rats and can act as an effective antioxidant

Efficient biotransformations in <i>Cunninghamella elegans</i> and <i>Streptomyces sp.</i> JCM9888 of selectively fluorinated benzoic acids to the corresponding benzamides and benzyl alcohols

An efficient conversion of ortho, meta and para fluoro- and trifluoromethyl-substituted benzoic acids to the corresponding benzamides in fermentations of the soil bacterium Streptomyces sp. JCM9888 is described. We also report the efficient reduction of the same class of substrates to the corresponding benzyl alcohols with the fungi Cunninghamella elegans. These biotransformations were surprisingly efficient and may have value as disruptive technologies in process chemistry.</p