Growing pigs fed cassava peel based diet supplemented with or without Farmazyme® 3000 proenx: Effect on growth, carcass and blood parameters

36 growing pigs (average initial weight of 22.74 ± 0.88 kg) were allotted to three dietary treatment groups of 30%maize-based control diet and 30%cassava-peel based diet supplemented with or without Farmazyme® 3000 proenx. Each treatment had three replicates of 4 pigs/replicate (12 pigs/treatment) in a complete randomized design. The pigs were allowed ad libitum access to the diets and water throughout the 42-day duration of the trial. The replacement of the 30% maize in the control diet with cassava peel resulted in increased bulkiness and crude fiber contents of the cassava peel-based diets, hence, lowered energy content. There was also a reduction in the dry matter intake of the pigs and the cost of feed per kg intake by 19.6 and 23.5% for the cassava peel based diet with and without Farmazyme® inclusion, respectively. The replacement of the maize content of the control diet with cassava peel resulted in 23 to 24% reduction in the cost of feed per kg live weight gain of the growing pigs. Farmazyme® resulted in enhanced utilization (P < 0.05) of the cassava peel-based diet in terms of the daily and overall weight gains as well as the serum total protein, albumin, urea and cholesterol. While the heamoglobin and red blood cell (RBC) of the pigs were significantly positively influenced by the inclusion of the enzyme, it had no effect on the packed cell volume (PCV). The blood minerals (Na, Ca, Cl and P), relative organ weights and dressing percentage of the pigs were neither affected by the cassava peel replacement nor the enzyme inclusion but for the kidney, where lower values were obtained both for the control and Farmazyme® supplemented cassava peel based diets. It could therefore be concluded that, inclusion of Farmazyme® 3000 proenx enhanced utilization of the cassava peel-based diet thereby, resulting in performance results comparable to pigs fed the maize-based control diet.Keywords: Cassava peels, growing pigs, non-starch polysaccharides, exogenous enzyme, pig feedin

Malaria prevention in pregnancy among traditional birth attendants in rural Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Malaria accounts for approximately 1 million deaths annually and about 300,000 deaths in Nigeria alone. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to adverse consequences of malaria. The National Malaria Policy has adopted the use of Intermittent Preventive Treatment and Insecticide Treated Net for prevention of malaria in pregnant women. This study therefore determined the knowledge and practice of Traditional Birth Attendants regarding prevention of malaria in pregnancy in 2 rural Local Government Areas of Lagos State, Nigeria.Method: A cross sectional, descriptive study design was adopted and a total of 68 Traditional Birth Attendants were studied. Data was collected using a structured, interviewer administered questionnaire. Analysis was done with EPI info 2008 and WinPepi statistical softwares.Results: Age range of respondents was 20-75 years and the mean age was 46.4±8.7 years. Most (67.7%) of the respondents were not aware of Intermittent Preventive Treatment. However, most(81.8%) of the respondents who were aware got the information from the health workers, while only 31.6% of those that aware knew the right drugs to be used.Conclusion: Overall knowledge of malaria prevention with Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy was poor. The knowledge and practice of malaria prevention in pregnancy among the Traditional Birth Attendants in Ikorodu and Badagry Local Government Areas was poor. It is therefore recommended that a sensitization and training of the Traditional Birth Attendants be carried out since a good number of women still patronize them.Keywords: Malaria, Pregnancy, Traditional Birth, Attendants, Rural, Lagos, Nigeri

Smokeless tobacco: Knowledge, attitudes and use among adults in Lagos, South-West, Nigeria

Background: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use leads to nicotine addiction and is associated with several health problems. However, it may be perceived as a safe alternative to cigarettes resulting in a potential for increased use among smokers and non-smokers alike. We assessed the pattern of smokeless tobacco use, as well as, the knowledge and attitudes towards SLT among adult residents in Lagos, South West Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study, carried out among 437 respondents selected by a multi-stage sampling method. A modified version of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey Questionnaire was administered to participants by trained research assistants. Data was analyzed using Epi-info statistical software version 3.5.1. Univariate and bivariate analyses were carried out at 5% level of significance (p&lt;.05).Results: The results showed that 47 (10.8%) of the respondents had ever used any form of tobacco. Of these, 29 (6.6% of the total sample and 61.7% of tobacco users) had ever used SLT. Majority of those who had ever used SLT progressed to current use (75.8%). Up to 81.8% of current SLT users were daily users.&nbsp; SLT use was more common among males (77.3% of current users). Snuff was the most common form of SLT used (81.8% of current SLT users), followed by chewed tobacco (18.2%). Gender and marital status were statistically significant with the current use of SLT (p&lt;.05). However, no significant association was found between knowledge, attitude and SLT use in this study. Many of the respondents knew that SLT is harmful to health (65.4%); causing health issues like discolouration of the teeth (62.2%). However, a much higher proportion of respondents did not know that SLT use was associated with gum disease (50.3%), cancers of the lip (58.8%), tongue (57.4) and gums (58.6%). Overall, only 29.5% had a good knowledge of the health risks associated with SLT use. More than half (66.9%) felt that SLT use was socially acceptable, though 54.7% felt SLT use would be a waste of their money. Overall, 95.1% of respondents had good attitude. SLT use was more among men and those who were divorced/separated or widowed (p&lt;.05). However, respondents knowledge or attitudes was not associated with SLT use.Conclusion: Though SLT use appears relatively low in this environment, the majority of the users used it daily. Progression from initiation to current use was also high. Though the respondents were aware of the general risks associated with SLT use, a significant proportion was unaware of the specific health risks. SLT use was however unrelated to the knowledge of its health risks. Efforts to reduce SLT initiation and progression to current and daily use should be prioritized. A focus on males with marital issues should be considered. Future studies may focus on understanding the underlying reasons for initiation and progression of the SLT use in this environment.</p

A Process Technology For Conversion Of Dried Cassava Chips Into “Gari”

“Gari”, made from fermented bitter Cassava roots (Manihot esculenta crantz) were successfully processed from already dried Cassava chips at 7% moisture level. Cassava mash at 67% moisture was prepared from dried Cassava chips. This was seeded severally with fresh cassava mash and fermented for 72hours. The total titratable acidity in the “Gari” samples during the 72h period of fermentation ranged from 0.014 – 0.054% lactic acid, the pH changes ranged between 4.1 and 4.4, the frying time of seeded chips into “Gari” ranged between 31-35 minutes and required a period of 28minutes in frying unseeded chips into “Gari”. The yield of “Gari” from the seeded dried chips ranged from 83.33% - 85.0% and a yield value of 24.9% of “Gari” was obtained from fresh roots. Pasting properties of the “Gari” samples from the seeded chips showed that “Gari” obtained from 15% seeded chips had a maximum viscosity value of 515BU, which is comparable to 520BU in commercial “Gari”. Sensory evaluation indicated that 5% and 15% seeded Cassava chips gave good quality “Gari” which is suitable for making traditional “Gari” paste (Eba). Also 5% and 10% seeded Cassava chips gave acceptable “Gari” suitable for drinking at 5% level of significance. Key words: Seeding, Fermentation, Dried Cassava Chips, Pasting, Sensory evaluation. Nigerian Food Journal Vol.22 2004: 65-7

Anti-Inflammatory Effect Of Some Common Nigerian Vegetables

Methanol extracts of four common Nigerian vegetables; A.graveoleus, C.argentia, T. triangulare and T.occidentalis were investigated for anti-inflammatory activity in rats using carrageenan. Carrageenan-induced oedema in the sub-plantar hind paw of vegetable extracts treated rats was significantly inhibited. This finding becomes quite relevant since these vegetables are non-steroidal compounds and from natural source. Key words: Nigerian vegetables, inflammation, oedema Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.18(1-2) 2003: 35-3

Evaluation of Haematological parameters in pregnant Nigerian women with sickle cell anaemia

No Abstrac

The effect of A5TB refiner on the fatigue strength of 6063AL alloy

The study focuses on the influence of aluminium titanium boron (A5TB) master alloy on the fatigue behaviour of 6063Al alloy. Cylindrical cast rods of 6063Al alloy containing different proportions of A5TB ranging from 0 - 0.11 wt.% were produced and were machined to conform to a standard fatigue specimen. The test specimens prepared were tested for fatigue strength at various stress levels, and results obtained were compared. The resistance to fatigue failure was observed to decrease as the stress level increased. It was also noted that irrespective of stress level, the optimum fatigue strength was obtained when the A5TB content was about 0.06 wt.%. It was found that 6063Al alloy to which A5TB master alloy have been added was most suitable for the design of components meant to operate under cyclic loading at low stresses below about 3.02 kN/m2.Keywords: Refiner, Fatigue, Aluminium Alloy, Cyclic Loading, Stress levelJournal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology, Volume 1