The fin fish assembage of Ikere Gorge, Oyo State, Nigeria

The fin fish assemblage of Ikere gorge was investigated. The fin fishes comprised a total of 34 species belonging to 13 families. Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus was most abundant and highest in biomass (69,198.33 kg) accounting for 34.65% of the catch. Synodontis nigrita, Malapterurus electricus, Marcusenius psittacus Gnathonemus sensgalensis and Gnathonemus cyprinoides were the least in number, while Phago loricatus was least in biomass (20.00 kg) accounting for 0.01%.The major aim was to assess the fish resources of the gorge and evaluate the water parameters as related to fish production. No significant difference was observed in dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate, water temperature, conductivity, alkalinity, total dissolved solid and pH range value in the stations. The water quality parameters were favourable for fish production. Water level and temperature were observed to guarantee high fish yield in the gorge

The comparison between cytological and histological grading of breast cancers in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in Nigeria. The tumour grade is an important prognostic factor and is also important in treatment of patients. Fine needle aspiration cytology can be used as an initial diagnostic tool for planning definitive management. Grading of tumours on cytology further guides therapeutic decisions. The aim of this study is to compare the correlation between the cytological and histological grading of malignant breast lumps using the Robinson's cytological grading system and Nottingham histological grading system respectively. The Objectives are, to determine the age distribution of breast cancer in our environment, to grade breast cancers cytologically using the Robinson's cytological grading system and to grade breast cancers histologically using the Nottingham histological grading system.Methods: This was a one year prospective study that involved 30 patients who had malignant smears on fine needle aspiration cytology of their breast lump. These smears were graded using the Robinson's cytological grading system and compared with the Nottingham histological grading systems of same lumps obtained from either tissue biopsies or mastectomies.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 50.23±10.11 years with a range of 35-70 years. Most (56.7%) malignat smears were of cytologic grade 3. The histological grade was 2 in 16(53.3%) and 3 in 14(46.7%) of the same breast tissue samples. The grade 2 tumours had the highest concordance rate of 83.3%. The absolute concordance rate between Robinson's cytological and Nottingham histological grading system of breast cancers was 73.3%.Conclusion: The Robinson's cytological and Nottingham histological grading systems showed good correlation.Keywords: Breast Cancer, fine needle aspiration cytology, cytological grading, histological gradin

Assessment of Renewable Sources of Energy for Residential Estate in Lagos State

The study investigated the use of renewable energy sources for residential estates in Lagos state; identified the available energy sources in the study area, determined the factors influencing the choice and utilization of renewable sources in the study area and examined the level of satisfaction derived from the chosen energy source by residents of Lagos state. The study was aimed at investigating the possibility of making energy available for residential estates dwellers from renewable energy sources so as to enhance uninterrupted energy supply and promote sustainability. To achieve the aim and objectives of the study, both primary and secondary data were used. The study made use of primary data collected by administration of e-questionnaire (google form) to building users. Data collected included energy source used by residents, the level of awareness of residents about various renewable sources, average amount of money spent on energy monthly, daily hours of energy supply, level of satisfaction derived from energy sources used. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social it was analyzed using frequencies, mean score and tables. The result from the sources of energy used by residents in Lagos state revealed that 74% of buildings make use of generators alongside the energy provided from national grids. The result from the number of hours of energy supply daily revealed that residents only have access to electricity being an end use of energy for maximum of 8 hours. The level of awareness of residents revealed that 51.7%, 21.2%, 17.2%, 10.3%, 17.7% and 30.5% of the respondents are well informed about a possibility of generating energy from solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, biogas, and hydropower respectively. To promote the use of energy generated from renewables, the study made recommendations for intensified awareness schemes on the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of renewable energy sources, adequate investment in critical areas of renewable R&D and policy adjustments to create an investor friendly environment to attract greater renewable energy investment

Determination of the Band Gap and Intensity of Palladium/Silver Doped TiO2 Nano Particles Using Diffuse Reflectance and Photoluminescence Spectra

The photocatalysts Pd/TiO2, Ag/TiO2 and Ag/Pd-TiO2 were prepared using the sol immobilization method. The photocatalysts were characterized by the use of diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and photoluminescence spectra. Analysis of Ag/TiO2 and Ag/Pd -TiO2 using diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) indicated reduction of band gap energy from 3.2 eV to 2.7 eV for Ag/Pd-TiO2 which makes it possible for the use of sunlight as excitation energy. Photo luminescence spectra analysis carried out on the dopants of Ag/TiO2, Pd/TiO2 and Ag/Pd-TiO2 measured the intensity which gives the rate of recombination of photo-generated electron-hole pairs in TiO2. The result indicated that reduction in intensity was highest for the co-doped Ag/Pd-TiO2. This accounts for its increase in photo catalytic property. Therefore, modification of TiO2 with Ag and Pd will provide the platform for its enhanced photocatalytic performance relevant in environmental science

Fish trading: a tool for socioeconomic enhancement and poverty alleviation

A study was conducted in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital with the objective to investigate if fish trading could be a tool of poverty alleviation and socio-economic enhancement of the status of women in the household. A total of 120 correctly completed, structured and pre-tested questionnaires, out of the 150 administered to respondents, were retrieved for data analyses. Demographic data of the traders showed that all the respondents were women whose ages ranged from 15 to above 45 years. The ages of 33-45 years constituted 33.3% of the respondents while the age bracket of between 27-32 years constituted 23.3%. Majority (73.3%) were married while 25% were single-headed households (divorced or widowed). The study revealed that most of the respondents (approximately 61%) were able to meet their family expenditure jointly with their spouses while 28.3% of the respondents met the financial responsibilities of their families solely from the profit. Access to credit was found to be a major limitation. The study further revealed that 86.7% of the respondents would like to continue with the business because they were satisfied with the profit accruable to them from the trade

Lethal Limits and Respiration in the Cichlid Fishes, Tilapia zillii , Sarotherodon galilaeus , S. melanotheron and Oreochromis niloticus Exposed to Effluent from Chemistry Department Laboratories.

In this study, the lower and upper lethal limits, LC50 and respiration of the freshwater cichlid fishes, Tilapia zillii, Sarotherodon galilaeus, S. melanotheron and Oreochromis niloticus exposed to effluents from Chemistry Department Laboratories were investigated. The mixing of the effluents produced a reduction in pH and dissolved oxygen and a fairly constant temperature and salinity of the media, while the toxicity of the effluents increased. The LC50 values after 24 and 48-h exposure in the effluent media were 0.24% and 0.21% for T. zillii; 0.26% and 0.24% for O. niloticus; 0.25% and 0.23% for S. galilaeus; 0.27% and 0.26% for S. melanotheron, respectively. The effect of chemical effluent on the rate of respiration of the treated cichlids produced lower rates of oxygen consumption in the order of S. galilaeus>O. niloticus>S. melanotheron>T. zilili in the highest concentration of the effluent. The results obtained from this study have shown that the effluents from Chemistry Department Laboratories are not treated as they produced respiratory impairment and physiological dysfunction in the exposed fish. It is suggested that proper treatment of these effluents be carried out before being discharged into the surrounding stream

Effects of atrazine on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Mechanization of agriculture to promote and improve the yields from agricultural practices has necessitated the use of pesticides and other agrochemicals. The effects of using these pesticides on the environment are rarely considered by farmers. This study investigated the effects and sub-lethal effect of atrazine on tilapia, an ubiquitous culturable fish species. The 96 hr LC50 was determined using static renewal bioassay method while the effect on haematological parameters was determined after exposure for 3 weeks to sub-lethal doses of atrasine. The LC50 was found to be 6.977mg/l. Sub-lethal exposure resulted in anaemia and increased the white blood cell counts

Body weight asymmetry as an animal welfare concern on carcass yield, ham proximate composition, mineral and lipid profiles of growing pigs

The experiment was carried out to evaluate effect of weight asymmetry on carcass yield, ham proximate composition, minerals and lipid profiles of growing pigs. A total of fifty four (54) Large White growing pigs with mean weight of 15.33±0.02 kg was placed into three treatment groups based on weight range (Homozygous heavy weight, homozygous light weight and heterozygous weight) for a twenty week study. Eighteen growing pigs served as a treatment group which was further divided into 3 replicate groups of 6 pigs per replicate. At the end of 20Th week study, 6 pigs per treatment i.e. 2 pigs per replicate were selected, fasted and slaughtered for carcass yield evaluation. The ham muscle was excised and used to determine pork proximate composition, minerals and lipid profiles. Data collected were subjected 1-way Analysis of Variance utilizing SAS software while significant differences were separated using New Duncan Multiple Range Test as contained in the same statistical package. Result revealed that the prime cut parts (ham, shoulder and puck weights) were significantly higher in homogeneous light weight pigs. Most of ham proximate composition were positively influenced by weight asymmetry. Likewise, weight asymmetry affected total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, potassium and magnesium values of growing pigs. Heterogeneous weight pigs had highest total cholesterol value of 94.67±2.77 mg/dl and the least value of 85.33±3.41 mg/dl was noted for homogeneous light weight pigs. It can be concluded from this present study that grouping pigs on uniform weight basis especially light weight groups enhanced the welfare of pigs as shown by improvement in pork characteristics and composition. Key words: Animal; proximate composition; meat yield; pork quality; mineral content

Dynamics of heavy metal Pollution in Tropical lagoon of Gulf of Guinea, West Africa

In this study the accumulation of Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Nickel (Ni) in sediment, water, some fish samples (Schilbe mystus, Mormyrus rume, Gymnarchus niloticus, Cynoglossus senegalensis, and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) and an aquatic plant Eichhornea crassipes collected from Lekki lagoon, Lagos Nigeria were examined. Heavy metals in the water, sediment, some selected fish and an aquatic plant were determined seasonally across nine sampling Stations; in the gills, liver and muscles of the fish species and in the root stem and leaves of Eichhornea crassipes using an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Heavy metals concentrations in the sediment and water varied significantly, both spatially and seasonally. Metal concentrations varied between species and body parts while Co, Cr and Pb were not detected. Ni was found in the liver and gills of S. mystus and M. rume and Cr in the gills of G. niloticus only. In Eichhornea crassipes, metals detected were in the order: root>leaves>stem for Fe, Zn, Cr, and Cd; root>stem>leaves for Pb and Ni while Co was not detected. Heavy metal presence in Lekki Lagoon calls for monitoring of activities within and around the lagoon and policy development towards the sustainable ecosystem health services.Keywords: Pollutants, Heavy metals, Eichhornia crassipes, Bioaccumulation, Lekki lagoo