Relationship between serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is associated with hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress. Oxidative damage, indicated by elevated levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), plays a vital role in development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in diabetic patients. Serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) has been used as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation and has served as an indicator of free radical damage. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum Malondialdehydelevels and investigate its relationship to Cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Methods: We assessed serum Malondialdehyde levels and lipid profile in 139 men and women with type 2 diabetes in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Nigeria, a cross-sectional study. The subjects consisted of 36 males (26 %) of mean aged 53±0.1 SD and 103 females (74 %) of mean aged 52±0,2SEM. Diabetes mellitus status was confirmed biochemically according to World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for classification of diabetes mellitus. Concentrations of serum MDA was measured using the method of Draper and Hardley. Data for selected clinical/demographic variables were obtained from fasting blood samples and an interviewer-assisted questionnaire. Results: The mean serum MDA and TG concentration were higher in diabetic individuals than in control subjects (2.1±0.1vs 0.7±0.0 (p=0.01)); (1.5±0.1vs1.1±0.0 (p=0.01)) respectively. There is no statically significant difference in the mean values of serum TC, HDL, LDL, and TC:HDL in diabetic patients and controls (p>0.05). There were no correlations between serum MDA and lipids (TC, TG, HDL, LDL,TC:HDL), FBG, HBA1c,BMI, BP and Duration of Diabetes in diabetic patients (p>0.05) Conclusion: There are increases in free radical activity and lipid peroxidation in individuals with type 2 diabetic mellitus. In addition, MDA associate independently with cardiovascular disease

Evaluation of some process parameters for production of investment bar castings

This investigation aims at evaluating some process parameters for the production of aluminium alloy investment castings using polystyrene as pattern material and Plaster of Paris as investment slurry. The process parameters considered are the shell thickness, casting thickness and pouring temperature and the effect of varying these parameters on the mechanical properties of aluminium silicon magnesium alloy (A356) produced through the investment casting method is being investigated in this work. The effects of these variables were studied using design of experiments (D.O.E) via Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array method. The castings produced were subjected to mechanical tests such as tensile strength, impact strength and hardness test using Monsanto tensometer and Avery impact and Avery hardness testing machines respectively. The results obtained were analysed using Minitab software 17. The results showed that the tensile strength, impact strength and hardness were optimum when the shell thickness was 5 mm, pouring temperature was 665oC and the bar cross section was 64 mm2 respectively. The investigation concludes that investment shell of thin thickness, casting thickness of smaller bar sections and lower pouring temperatures in the range of 665oC - 690oC were the most suitable parameters that produced optimum results with better mechanical properties in this study.Keywords: Investment casting, Polystyrene pattern, Plaster of Paris slurr

Characterization and evaluation of selected kaolin clay deposits in Nigeria for furnace lining application

Kaolin and ball clay samples from four states in Nigeria were examined with the aim of determining their chemical composition as well as testing for their suitability as refractory materials for furnaces lining applications. Three kaolin samples were taken from Ikpeshi in Edo, Kasadi in Kebbi and Alaasan in Osun state, while the ball clay sample used as the binder was taken from Badeggi in Niger state. The kaolin samples were tested and beneficiated in other to improve on their alumina contents after which they were characterized and produced as a refractory brick by mixing each kaolin sample with the ball clay in 70:30 ratio. They were then tested comprehensively for the following refractory properties such as: firing shrinkage, apparent porosity, bulk density, cold crushing strength, thermal shock resistance, refractory under load (RUL), thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The results were compared with standard refractory properties for fireclay bricks. The values obtained from the three clay samples (A, B, C) which are from Ikpeshi in Edo, Kasadi in Kebbi and Alaasan in Osun state respectively were within the recommended values for fireclay bricks, most especially sample C which has a refractoriness under load (RUL) of 1348OC which is the temperature at which the bricks will collapse under a constant load of 0.2N/mm2. This compared favourably with the RUL of other countries in the world.Keywords: Porosity, clay, brick, refractoriness, kaoli

Anti-nociceptive Potential of Ethanol Extract of Terminalia macroptera Guill&Perr (Combretaceae) Stem Bark in Mice

Background: Terminalia macroptera Guill. &Perr. (Combretaceae) is a flowering plant with several ethno-medicinal claims. However, the dearth of information on its analgesic property has necessitated this study.Objectives: to evaluate the anti-nociceptive potential of ethanol extract of Terminalia macroptera stem bark (TMSB) in mice.Materials and Methods: Male and female mice of weight range 22 – 25g were randomly allotted into seven groups (n= 5) and treated as follows: Group I received 0.5 mL distilled water orally (negative control), Groups II-V were orally administered ethanol extract of T. macroptera stem bark (TMSB) at 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg respectively while groups VI-VII received piroxicam 10 mg/kg and pentazocine 2 mg/kg intraperitoneally respectively as standards. The same treatment pattern was adopted for both pain models: tail immersion and acetic acid-induced writhing assays. Data were expressed as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM) using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s and Bonferroni's multiple comparisons tests with p < 0.05 taken as significance.Results: The ethanolic extract of Terminalia macroptera stem bark showed significant dose-dependent anti-nociceptive activity at 100 and 400 mg/kg (2.95±0.41 and 2.9±0.31 respectively) 60 min post-treatment compared to the negative control group in the tail immersion test. Significant inhibition of nociception (0.20±0.20) was obtained at 400 mg/kg compared to the negative control group in the acetic acid-induced writhing test.Conclusions: The ethanol extract of Terminalia macroptera stem bark exhibited dose-dependent anti-nociceptive potential in both tail immersion and acetic acid-induced writhing assays in mice

Effect of aqueous extract of Anisopus manni stem in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

This study examined the effect of aqueous extract of Anisopus manni stem in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Fifteen male rats were randomly distributed into three groups of five rats each. Normal and diabetic control groups were given distilled water. Diabetic treated group, received 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Anisopus manni. All Administrations (oral) were carried out daily for 28 days using gavage. Fasting blood glucose and body weight were recorded at intervals of 7 days. Significant (P<0.05) increases in TG, Total cholesterol, LDL-C with significant (P<0.05) decrease in HDL-C levels were observed in diabetic control compared to normal control. Significant increase was also observed in the fasting blood glucose of diabetic control rats relative to normal control. The plant extract reverses the effects of alloxan on lipid profile levels and fasting blood glucose of diabetic treated animals. The extract exerted significant (P< 0.05) reduction in fasting blood glucose level in diabetic treated rat from week one to week three compared to diabetic control. No significant (P>0.05) effect was observed in the fourth week. The findings indicate that Anisopus mannii possess hypolipidemic and antihyperglycemic potentials.Keywords: Alloxan, Anisopus manni, antihyperglycemic, lipid profile, rat

Optimisation of process parameters for M.A.G welding of API X70m material to predict tensile strength using Taguchi method

Girth welded replica of API X70M material have been produced on NG-GMAW welding technique. The particular area of interest is to develop suitable girth welding process parameter using NGGMAW. The major aim of the work was to replicate welds having tensile strength between 650 and 680 MPa. Design of Experiment (DoE) method by Taguchi design, using some selected welding processes was adopted. Two process parameters (factors) – arc voltage and wire feed rate, (the variables), and three levels were used. The resultant joint property on tensile strength of X70M pipeline was examined. The targeted mechanical property was achieved by selecting the best process parameters. Their effects on ultimate tensile strength – UTS was analysed using statistical technique – analysis of variance - ANOVA and Signal to Noise - S/N ratio with ‘thebigger-the–better’ value. Validation was done using MIDAS NFX (an FEA) mechanical engineering software. In conclusion, process parameters that affects or influences the girth welded properties of API X70M under field conditions were identified. Guidance for the specifications and selection of processes that could be used in field-welding for optimum performance has been recommended. Keywords: Optimization, Girth-Weld, Process Parameters, Tensile Strength, NG-GMA

Serum homocysteine levels and lipid profile in Type 2 diabetic patients in Zaria, northern Nigeria

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most frequently occurring non-communicable disorders characterized by hyperglycemia. Diabetic individuals are highly prone to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and hence it is necessary to search for advanced markers to assess the CVD risk. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum homocysteine concentrations and lipids in Type 2 diabetic patients in Zaria, Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional type. A consecutive sampling method was employed to select the subjects who satisfy the study inclusion criteria. Informed consent for inclusion into the study was obtained from the subjects. Anthropometric measures, blood pressures were recorded for each of the subjects. This was followed the collection of blood specimens. Diabetes mellitus status was confirmed biochemically according to World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for classification of diabetes mellitus. We assessed 140 men and women with type 2 diabetes in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Nigeria. Serum total homocysteine concentration was measured using ELISA method. Serum lipids concentrations were measured using a commercial enzymatic kit method. Results: The mean values of homocysteine levels and lipids (TC, TG, HDL, LDL, TC: HDL), were higher among diabetic patients than those of control group (p=0.000). Similarly the mean values of other biochemical analytes (FBG and HbA1c) were also higher among diabetic patients when compared to control group (p=0.000). Conclusion: High levels of homocysteine and dyslipidaemia are implicated in the development of cardiovascular complications in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Renewable Energy and Sustainable Food Security in Nigeria

Renewable energy sources are becoming an increasingly important alternative source of energy in the agricultural sector. The use of renewable energy will reduce the use of fossil fuels, thereby minimizing the emission of green house gases. Increased use of renewable sources of energy especially in the agricultural sector will enhance the sustainability of food security in Nigeria and the quality of the environment. The use of renewable energy sources in the agricultural sector will also lead to environmentally friendly, sustainable and viable sources of energy to reduce the dependency on deplet­ing fossil fuels. Increasing attention is being focused on the installation and usage of renewable energy sources in the agricultural sector in several countries of the world purposely to contribute to global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable food security. This paper attempt to explain the role of renewable energy sources in agricultural sector as a means of enhancing sustainable food security in the country and presents the existing technologies, policies  and emerging opportunities in renewable energy application in the agricultural sector. Keyword: Available incentive, Energy policy, Renewable energy, Sustainable food security

Econometric Analysis of Characteristics Influencing Cattle Prices in Selected Livestock Markets in Yobe State, Nigeria

A survey was conducted to analyze buyers' preference between Sokoto Gudali, White Fulani and Red Bororo in some selected livestock market in Yobe State.Three major cattle markets were purposively selected, based on high concentration of cattle, cattle marketers and major distributing point of the cattle in the state. Potiskum cattle market, Ngalda cattle market in Fika local Government and Ngalzarma cattle market in Fune Local Government were purposively selected for the study. Some 390 Buyers were selected from three markets on weekly basis for period of 26 weeks. Descriptive statistics, Ginni Co-efficient and multiple regressions were employed to analyze the collected data. The result of the study revealed that, 39.7% of cattle, buyers were within age group of 31-40years, 100% of the respondents were male and 96.7% were found to be married. The respondents (52.3%) were small buyers category, 24.9% medium and 22.8% were large-scale buyers. Greater percentage of the respondents (63.3%) preferred Red Bororo. The Ginni co-efficient model shows that the markets structure was competitive with low Ginni co-efficient of 0.4863. Hedonic regression generally showed that In all the three cattle market, Red bororo breed of cattle were compared with White Fulani and Sokoto gudali, the results shows that white fulani were found to be statistically significant at probability level of(P<0.05), in model I, II and IV with negative coefficient, and sokoto gudali were also found to be significant though negative in model I to IV, which implies that price of Red bororo were higher than that of two other breed,female cattle were found to be statistically significant (P<0.001) with negative coefficient, this implies that the price of male cattle were higher in all the cattle markets compared with female cattle. Big size cattle were found to be statistically significant (P<0.001) with positive coefficient,short horn cattle were found to be significant ( P<0.01) with positive coefficient in all the models. The height of cattle is another important physical characteristic that determine the size of cattle and height was found to be highly statistically significant (P<0.001) in all the models and positive coefficient, implies that cattle with height attracted more price which means for any unit increases in these variables buyers would be willing to pay premium. 1t was recommended that, research efforts should target the characteristics of these cattle that buyers are sensitive to, which will enhance profitability, production and marketing

Economics of Physical Attributes Influencing Cattle Prices in Ngalzarma Livestock Markets, Yobe State

This study examined the physical attributes influence cattle prices in Ngalzarma livestock market in Yobe State, Ngalzarma cattle market in Fune Local Government was purposively selected based on high concentration of cattle and cattle marketers. A total of one hundred thirty (130) Buyers were selected using systematic sampling by truncation on weekly basis for period of 26 weeks. Descriptive statistics, ginni co-efficient and multiple regressions was employed to analyze the collected data. The result of the study revealed that 100% of the respondents were male, 39.7% of cattle buyers were within age group of 31-40years and 96.7% were found to be married. The respondents (52.3%) were small buyers category, 24.9% medium and 22.8% were large scale buyers. Greater percentage of the cattle marketers (63.3%) preferred Red Bororo, 29.2% White Fulani and 7.4% Sokoto Gudali. The Ginni co-efficient model shows that the markets structure was competitive with low Ginni co-efficient of 0.507. The regression results indicated that colour of the ear, shape of the cattle face and type of horn were the factors that influenced the buyer's preference. Hedonic regression generally showed that female cattle, big carcass size and height were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05), (P < 0.001) and (P < 0.001) respectively with positive coefficient. 1t was therefore recommended that research efforts should target the characteristics of these cattle that buyers are sensitive to so as to enhance profitability production and marketing