CLARIFICATION OF APPLE JUICE WITH LABORATORY- PRODUCED-PECTINASE OBTAINED FROM THE DETERIORATION OF APPLE (Malus domestica) FRUITS BY Aspergillus niger

There are different varieties of Apple fruits which have resulted from natural cross-pollination involving different species. Apples are often eaten in a raw fresh form, sometimes baked or stewed for other uses. They have some beneficial purposes such as helping in preventing the growth of prostate cancer, improving bowel function and regulating blood sugar. The activity of enzymes is usually affected by factors such as temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and enzyme concentration. The effect of enzyme concentration on pectinase obtained from the deterioration of three different varieties of apple fruits by Aspergillus niger was therefore investigated. A 72-hours-old culture of Aspergillus niger subcultured onto fresh Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates was inoculated into three different varieties of fresh Apple fruits obtained from a Supermarket along Idiroko road, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. The fruits were surface sterilized, inoculated with the fungi and o incubated at room temperature of 27 C. They were monitored for complete deterioration over twelve days. Pectinase obtained from the deteriorated fruits was used in clarifying apple juice from the different varieties of apple fruits with different volume of enzyme. Equivalent volume of water was also treated in like manner. The same experiment was carried out for commercial pectinase in comparison with the laboratory-produced – pectinase was also more effective than the commercially produced enzyme. The result of this investigation will be very useful in the production of commercial pectinase obtained from fungal deterioration

Africa and Pax-Africana in The Age of Interventionism

This article, drawing data from library and online sources, examines and engages issues in Africa’s quest for pax-Africana in the age of interventionism. It notes that Africa’s quest for pax-Africana in the age of interventionism is undercut by many factors, chief among which is the dependency and weaknesses of African states which always predispose extra-African powers to intervene in matters that should exclusively be handled by Africans. It concludes that as long as Africa remains trapped in dependent relations and the climate of disunity persists among African statesmen, its quest for pax-Africana would remain daunting

NIGÉRIA PÓS-AUTORITÁRIA: DEMOCRATIZANDO SOB CORRUPÇÃO GENERALIZADA

This article, adopting descriptive, historical and analytical methods of inquiry and using the post-authoritarian Nigeria as research backdrop, examines the contours and terrains of democratization processes, in Africa, under condition of pervasive corruption. It observes that democratic institutions, in Nigeria since the termination of the authoritarian order in 1999, have performed abysmally in checking the incidences of corruption contrary to the expectations in the donor community, based on the experiences of the advanced democracies, that democracy and its appurtenances once launched, could reduced the incidence of corruption. It notes and argues that this state of affairs is not unconnected to a non-autonomous and a prebendal state, which offers almost limitless opportunities for official corruption to thrive.   Este artigo, adotando métodos descritivos, históricos e analíticos de investigação e utilizando a Nigéria pós-autoritária como pano de fundo da investigação, examina os contornos e terrenos dos processos de democratização na África, sob condições de corrupção generalizada. Observa-se que as instituições democráticas na Nigéria, desde a cessação da ordem autoritária em 1999, têm tido um desempenho abismal na verificação dos casos de corrupção, contrariamente às expectativas da comunidade de doadores, com base nas experiências das democracias avançadas, de que a democracia e os seus apetrechos, uma vez lançados, poderiam reduzir a incidência da corrupção. Ele observa e argumenta que esta situação não está desligada de um Estado não autônomo e prebendal, que oferece oportunidades quase ilimitadas para que a corrupção oficial prospere

GRUPOS DE VIGILANTES E DE POLICIAMENTO EM UMA NIGÉRIA DEMOCRATIZADA: NAVEGANDO NO CONTEXTO E QUESTÕES

In the last few years, vigilante groups and other informal policing structures have assumed a greater role in the security architecture of many countries, especially those that exited from authoritarian order. In spite of this development, however, issues and concerns are constantly being raised about them regarding whether they could really be agents of democratic policing against the backdrop of their penchant for human rights violations and extra-judicial killings. It is against this background that this article examines the balance sheet of vigilante groups in a democratizing Nigeria. Following an extensive review of extant literature on police, policing, vigilantism and vigilante groups, as well as relevant studies on vigilante groups in Nigeria, it observes and notes that unlike the practice in liberal democracies, where vigilante groups - in conduct and practice - conform to principles of rule of law and constitutionalism, the opposite is the case in a democratizing Nigeria. It argues and concludes that as long as the vigilante groups, like the formal policing establishments, remain the instruments of intimidation of political opponents by the politicians that control them; the terrain of vigilantism would continue to be in the realm of ‘anocracy’. Nos últimos anos, grupos de vigilantes e outras estruturas informais de policiamento assumiram um papel maior na arquitetura de segurança de muitos países, especialmente aqueles que saíram da ordem autoritária. Apesar deste desenvolvimento, no entanto, questões e preocupações são constantemente levantadas sobre se eles realmente poderiam ser agentes do policiamento democrático contra o pano de fundo de sua propensão para violações de direitos humanos e assassinatos extrajudiciais. É contra esse cenário que este artigo examina o balanço de grupos de vigilantes em uma Nigéria em democratização. Após uma extensa revisão da literatura existente sobre grupos policiais, de policiamento, de vigilantismo e grupos de vigilantes, bem como estudos relevantes sobre grupos vigilantes na Nigéria, observa-se que ao contrário da prática em democracias liberais, onde grupos de vigilantes, - em conduta e prática - , seguem os princípios do estado de direito e constitucionalismo, o oposto é o caso de uma Nigéria em democratização Argumenta-se e conclui-se que enquanto os grupos de vigilantes, como os estabelecimentos formais de policiamento, continuam sendo instrumentos de intimidação política de opositores políticos pelos políticos que os controlam; o terreno do vigilantismo continuaria a ser no reino da "anocracia"

An Unusual Presentation of a Mixed Epithelial and Stromal Tumor in an Elderly Male

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumors (MESTs) of the kidney are rare renal neoplasms characterized by mixed cystic and solid components. These tumors are typically present in middle-aged women as a flank mass, or as a cause of flank pain or hematuria. We outline the case of an older male who presented with an enlarging abdominal mass causing symptoms that suggested a partial small bowel obstruction. Management of the patient and a brief review are discussed

Prioritisation of weed species relevant to Australian livestock industries for biological control

Classical biological control is the only realistic option for managing many of the most serious weeds affecting livestock industries in Australia. This project developed and applied a framework, based on a matrix assessment system, to prioritise biocontrol efforts using new agents against 79 weed taxa. These taxa were identified in a concurrent project as priorities for Research, Development and Extension to address weed problems of Australian livestock industries. The framework considered the current and potential impacts of the weeds versus prospects for biocontrol. The latter combined assessments of feasibility of undertaking a biocontrol program that would yield host-specific agents, and the likelihood that agents would be successful in mitigating the impacts of the weeds once released in Australia. Each categorisation was supported with a written rationale that explained the ranking assigned and captured uncertainties. Key investment areas for future actions to address biocontrol knowledge gaps for each weed were identified. Twenty-one weeds with the highest combined rankings for biocontrol prospects and current and/or potential impacts were shortlisted as priority taxa for future investment. Results provide the best available information for funding agencies responsible for RD&E for livestock industries to make investment decisions across their weed biocontrol portfolio

Between the Rock and a Hard Place: The Africa Union and Democracy Promotion in Africa

While the Cold War lasted, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) never considered democracy promotion in member states as a priority. What mattered to the body was the safeguard of the sovereignties of member states? The globalization of the third democratic wave however, changed that as democracy promotion, courtesy of Donor’s aid agenda became a core objective of the OAU/AU. Deploying descriptive, historical, and analytical methods of inquiry with a focus on the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance (ACDEG), this article assesses the extent of AU’s commitments to promoting democracy in Africa. Following an extensive review of conceptual literature on democracy, as well as relevant studies on OAU/AU’s democracy promotion initiatives in Africa, it notes that OAU/AU, no doubt, has robust normative frameworks for dealing with an unconstitutional change of government and other actions that could constitute a threat to the growth of democracy in Africa but in enforcing these frameworks, it is often stuck between a rock and a hard place. It suggests, among others, the strengthening of the enforcement mechanisms of the organization

Risk and Profitability Considerations in Off-Balance Sheet Engagements: A Comparative Analysis of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

This study investigated how off balance sheet engagements of deposit money banks affect risk and profitability compositions of such banks. The study employed secondary data obtained from financial statements of five deposit money banks (namely, Access, Zenith, UBA, GTB and First Bank) for eleven years period (2004 to 2014). The descriptive and content analysis of the financial statements of the selected banks investigated revealed that Zenith Bank has the highest amount of off balance sheet engagement. It therefore concludes that inspite of the huge profit that may accrue to the deposit money bank for engaging in off balance sheet activities, it may be exposed to a very high risk if the unexpected happens. In view of this, this study recommends a prudent management and monitoring of off balance sheet activities by management, the board and Central Bank of Nigeria. This is necessary to ensure that banks remain within the approved threshold or limits of off balance engagements inorder not to compromise the confidence reposed on the banks by depositors and investors

Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma in the Native Ureter of a Renal Transplant Patient: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Endometriosis is characterized by endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, primarily on the pelvic peritoneum, ovaries, and rectovaginal septum, and, in rare cases, within the urinary tract (1–3%). Although endometriosis is a benign condition, malignant transformation of endometriosis is a well-described phenomenon. Malignancies arising in endometriosis are uncommon at extragonadal pelvic sites. A case of endometrioid adenocarcinoma in the native ureter of a postmenopausal renal transplant patient presented with painless gross hematuria and hydroureteronephrosis. The patient had a history of total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy 14 years prior for menorrhagia and had since been on unopposed estrogen replacement therapy. Workup revealed a filling defect in the native left mid-ureter secondary to a large 2.5-cm ureteral tumor. Endoscopic biopsies of the native left ureteral mass showed endometrioid adenocarcinoma, grade II-III. The patient ultimately underwent an open native left nephroureterectomy and temporary diverting colostomy. Final pathology confirmed endometrioid adenocarcinoma, grade II-III, arising in a background of endometriosis with negative perirectal lymph nodes. This case of ureteral endometrioid adenocarcinoma highlights the importance of obtaining a careful history and maintaining a high index of suspicion for malignant degeneration, especially in the context of hyperestrogenism

Alterations in homologous recombination repair genes in prostate cancer brain metastases.

Improved survival rates for prostate cancer through more effective therapies have also led to an increase in the diagnosis of metastases to infrequent locations such as the brain. Here we investigate the repertoire of somatic genetic alterations present in brain metastases from 51 patients with prostate cancer brain metastases (PCBM). We highlight the clonal evolution occurring in PCBM and demonstrate an increased mutational burden, concomitant with an enrichment of the homologous recombination deficiency mutational signature in PCBM compared to non-brain metastases. Focusing on known pathogenic alterations within homologous recombination repair genes, we find 10 patients (19.6%) fulfilling the inclusion criteria used in the PROfound clinical trial, which assessed the efficacy of PARP inhibitors (PARPi) in homologous recombination deficient prostate cancer. Eight (15.7%) patients show biallelic loss of one of the 15 genes included in the trial, while 5 patients (9.8%) harbor pathogenic alterations in BRCA1/2 specifically. Uncovering these molecular features of PCBM may have therapeutic implications, suggesting the need of clinical trial enrollment of PCBM patients when evaluating potential benefit from PARPi