Role of Women in Fisheries and Aquaculture in Kano State, Nigeria

This review examines the participation and roles of women within the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Kano state, looking at their direct involvement in fishing and fish production as well as their indirect association with related activities (Marketing and distribution, processing, administration, management and public sectorial work, research, education and training).Women represent approximately 20% of Kano state population and 40% of the labor force. More than, 1000, people were fully engaged in fisheries activities in 2010. Studies have shown that of all the various fishing a sector, participation of women was highest in fish processing (approximately 30%) followed by inland aquaculture. Although there is limited data on women’s roles in the Kano fisheries sector as a whole, women are known to play only a very minor role in fish capture in southern part of Nigeria. This participation is usually in the form of small scale activities on lakes or as support to sea going spouses. Where women are employed in the aquaculture sector (5%), they are mainly involved in hatchery and live food units. Women also play an important role in administration, fisheries research, education and training as reflected by the numbers of female graduates employed in such fields. The marketing of fresh products for local markets was found to be predominantly carried out by men. Women are also temporarily and permanently involved in activities such as fish vaccination and the construction and manufacture of nets. Women play a key and vital role in the Fisheries value chain in Nigeria especially when we look at their involvement in the marine, artisanal and Aquaculture sub-sector of the Fisheries. The women who constitute the greater percentage of the fish mongers/ processors represent the first segment of the fish market chain; buying fresh fish directly from the fishermen; the fish is either sold fresh by the women, or processed by smoking. Keywords: Women, Aquaculture, Fisheries, Kano State, Nigeria

Preliminary assessment of black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens ) larval meal in the diet of African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ): impact on growth, body index, and hematological parameters

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens ) larval meal (BSF) in practical diets of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus ). Four diets were formulated to contain levels of fishmeal replacement at 0, 25, 50, and 100% with BSF. A total of 360 fingerlings (2.67 ± 0.0 g/fish) were randomly distributed into 12 tanks (30‐L capacity) containing 30 fish each and fed with the respective diet to apparent satiation. After 6 weeks of feeding, growth performance and nutrient utilization indices of the groups fed 25 and 50% BSF diets were not significantly different (p  > .05) from the group fed the fishmeal‐based control diet. However, further increase in the replacement of fishmeal with BSF (100%) led to a significant (p   .05) compared with the control group. From the current study, it was clear that fishmeal could be replaced with BSF up to 50% without affecting the growth performance, nutrient utilization, survival, and welfare of C. gariepinus fingerlings

The safety of Kigelia africana on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes in Sprague-Dawley rats

Background: Kigelia africana, belongs to the family of Bignoniaceae. It has been used commonly in folk medicine to energise and improve fertility in both males and females. Decoctions of Kigelia africana are taken as abortifacients. Therefore, there is need to scientifically substantiate and validate these claims. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the effect of Kigelia africana on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methodology: Twenty female adult Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 4 groups (N=5) were used. Rats were mated on proestrus with males of proven fertility. Spermatocytes in the vaginal smear confirmed pregnancy. Kigelia africana was given at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg bodyweight daily from the 1st to 20th day of pregnancy while control rats received distilled water. Rats were anaesthetized with ketamine on day 20 of pregnancy and a ventral laparotomy was performed. Foetuses were removed and parameters taken. The uterus was excised and assayed for antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and malondialdehyde, an index of lipid peroxidation. Result: Significant increases were observed in crown-rump length, tail length and litter size.  Superoxide dismutase activities increased significantly while significant reductions were recorded in malondialdehyde levels. In addition, uterine weights increased in the treated groups compared with the control. Conclusion: Kigelia africana is uterothrophic and is safe with no deleterious effect on pregnancy and the foetuses in Sprague-Dawley rats. Keywords: Kigelia africana, pregnancy, malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase

Lipid-laden bronchoalveolar macrophages in asthma and chronic cough

SummaryBackgroundThe presence of lipids in alveolar macrophages (AMs) may impair their phagocytic response, and determine airway inflammation and obstruction.ObjectiveTo determine the factors such as severity of asthma, chronic cough, airway inflammation and obesity that may influence the presence of lipids in lung macrophages.MethodsBronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained from 38 asthmatics (21 severe and 17 mild/moderate), 16 subjects with chronic cough and 11 healthy control subjects. The presence of lipids in macrophages was detected using an Oil-red-O stain and an index of lipid-laden macrophages (LLMI) was obtained.ResultsLLMI scores were higher in healthy subjects (median 48 [IQR 10–61]) and the severe asthma group (37 [11.5–61]) compared to mild/moderate asthmatics (7 [0.5–37]; p < 0.05 each). Subjects reporting a history of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) had higher LLMI values (41.5 [11.3–138] versus 13 [0–39.3], p = 0.02). There was no significant correlation between LLMI and chronic cough, BAL cell differential counts, FEV1, FEV1/FVC or body mass index (BMI).ConclusionsThe reduced LLMI in mild/moderate asthma may be related to lower incidence of GORD. However, this was not related to the degree of airflow obstruction, obesity or airway inflammation

Nutritional Indices of the Cotton Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, on 13 Soybean Varieties

The effects of 13 soybean varieties (356, M4, M7, M9, Clark, Sahar, JK, BP, Williams, L17, Zane, Gorgan3, and DPX) on nutritional indices of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were determined at 25 ± 1° C, 65 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 L:D. Fourth instar larvae reared on Zane showed the highest efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) and approximate digestibility (AD) values (0.299 and 0.867, respectively) compared with other varieties. The lowest value of ECD and food consumed (FC) was on 356 (0.133 and 53.82 mg, respectively). The highest and lowest efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) of fifth instar larvae (0.235 and 0.156, respectively) were on Zane and M4, respectively. The ECI and ECD values of whole larval instars were the highest on M7 (0.524 and 0.820, respectively) and lowest on Sahar (0.279 and 0.353, respectively). However, the highest and lowest value of consumption index (CI) was on M7 (7.351) and BP (3.462). Among the different varieties of soybean, the highest AD value was on M9 (0.858), and the lowest was on Zane (0.597). The results indicated that M4, Sahar, and JK were partially resistant to H. armigera

Design and Analysis of Blast Induced Traumatic Brain Injury Mechanism Using a Surrogate Headform: Instrumentation and Outcomes

Brain injury cases in military personnel exposed to improvised explosive devices (IED) in combat have been on the rise. In Iraq and Afghanistan improved helmets and body armor are not enough protection against blast wave threats. The United States military are sponsoring researchers and scientists around the globe to find the associations between pressure waves and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Lack of accurate data and blast wave exposure information in returning soldiers has slowed the innovation needed to effectively diagnose TBI and other related brain injury as a result of pressure waves. More detailed data will be required to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for blast-induced TBI and to design and develop a more effective head protection system. Understanding the impacts of blast wave in the brain could lead to understanding the best form of protection the head needs in such a scenario. Developing an accurate model suitable for the simulation of the mechanical behavior of the human brain under blast loading conditions could lead to significant advances. This thesis introduces a research study on blast waves, the development of a realistic surrogate human head and brain, the data acquisition system which include the instruments needed to correctly identify and measure the attenuation of the pressure/blast waves in the head/brain and the analysis of the data acquired. In designing the experiments, the RED Head (Realistic Explosive Dummy Headform) was fixed with strain gauges on the exterior to check for stress waves in the surrogate skull, and with a fiber optic sensor inside the brain for pressure measurement. Making use of a shock tube facility, there were 11 shots fired at different breech pressures, the lowest using a 0.01-inch Mylar® burst membrane and the highest using ten 0.01-inch Mylar® burst membranes. The results were then tabulated and presented; the aim is to study the propagation of blast waves and their attenuation within the experimental headform with a simulated brain

Relationship between glaucoma and selenium levels in plasma and aqueous humor

Research Objective: To explore the relationship between selenium levels in plasma and aqueous humor in patients with and without primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Study Design: Case-controlled study. Location University Physician’s Ophthalmology Clinic in Tucson, AZ.Funding Source: Research to Prevent Blindness Foundation and the National Eye Institute.Relevant Methodology: The study was composed of 47 POAG cases and 54 controls. Aqueous humor and plasma selenium were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography ion channel plasma mass spectrometry. Potential confounders were assessed through a questionnaire. Biologic samples were collected and processed at surgery and analyzed for selenium content after the collection was complete. Outcome Measures Odds of glaucoma in relation to plasma and aqueous selenium levels and aqueous/ plasma selenium ratio.Results: After the adjustment for common glaucoma risk factors, the odds of glaucoma in the highest tertile of plasma selenium (odds ratio = 11.3; P = 0.03) and the middle tertile of aqueous humor selenium (odds ratio = 0.06; P = 0.02) was significantly associated with glaucoma.Conclusions: A causal pathway cannot be inferred from this analysis. This data, added to that of others, suggest that the pathology is selenium related

61. Primary ophthalmic care patterns and training of University of Ottawa residentss

This study assessed whether residents are equipped to perform recommended standards of ophthalmic primary care and determined if the findings reflect the adequacy of their undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in ophthalmology. Information was collected using web based online questionnaire that was completed by residents in the residency program at the University of Ottawa. Data was extracted and analyzed using Epi Info software. One hundred and sixteen residents (17% capture rate) in all years of training completed the online questionnaire. Majority of the residents were not familiar with the different vision screening guidelines, less so with the Canadian (63 &#8211; 97%) than the American guidelines (91 &#8211; 94%). This was reflected in their referral patterns and mixed results of ophthalmic knowledge assessments. Only 21% of respondents were highly confident or confident in dealing with patients with eye problems. However, most were confident in history taking, visual acuity assessment and examination, but less so with ophthalmoscopy and intraocular pressure measurements. The duration of undergraduate ophthalmic clerkship was at least one week in most of the institutions. However, about one third of the residents surveyed did not have any ophthalmology clerkship in medical school. Only 33% felt that their clerkship was adequate and about the same proportion felt that they received adequate ophthalmic exposure of relevance to their current practice. About 90% of the residents have not attended an update course in ophthalmology. Over 75% of the residents thought that a continuing education program in Ophthalmology would be useful and would be interested in attending such a program in the future. Opportunities exist to address these inadequacies to better prepare residents for clinical practice. These include improvements in undergraduate ophthalmic education, inclusion of ophthalmology electives in residency training programs and the development of a continuing education program in ophthalmology for primary eye care physicians. US Preventive Services Task Force: Screening for visual impairment in Children younger than five years: recommendation statement. American Family Physician 2005; 71(2): 333-340. Feightner JW. Routine preschool screening for visual and hearing problems. In: Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination. Canadian guide to clinical preventive health care. Ottawa: Health Canada, 1994:298-304. Bellan L. Ophthalmology undergraduate education in Canada. Can J Ophthalmol. 1998; 33(1):3 &#8211; 7

Radiological and related chemical health impact assessments of uranium in pipe borne water from some waterworks in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

The common purifying technique of water for public (human) consumption in Nigeria is by chlorination which only eliminates the microbial contaminants, but the radioactive contaminants remain unaffected. There had been no serious radiological and related chemical health impact assessments of pipe borne water in the country. Water samples were collected from five waterworks across Lagos Metropolis and a single crystal NaI (Tl) detector was used to determine the activity concentration of 238U radionuclide in the water. The radiological health impact assessment determined includes annual effective dose rates and risk of incurring cancer. Using activity concentrations obtained and the relation from United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the chemical health impact such as life average daily dose (LADD) and hazard quotient (HQ) due to ingestion of 238U in water were determined and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The mean 238U activity concentrations were 15.3±4.1 Bql-1, 14.6±5.2 Bql-1, 9.7±2.0 Bql-1, 11.0±2.9 Bql-1 and 11.3±1.8 Bql-1 for Agege, Shomolu, Iju, Saka and Amuwo respectively. The least mean effective dose, 0.3±0.1 mSvy-1 was obtained in Iju while the highest, 0.5±0.2 mSvy-1 was obtained in Agege and Shomolu. The least mass concentration of 174.2±35.7μgl-1 was obtained in Iju and the highest of 274.9±73.3 μgl-1 was obtained in Agege. The highest mean cancer mortality and morbidity risks, (0.6±0.2) x10-3 and (0.9±0.2) x10-3 respectively were obtained in Agege. The activity concentrations of radionuclide in the water were low hence the morbidity and mortality risks in the study were low when compared to the world average value of 1.0x10-3. The result showed high radioactivity and chemical levels therefore caution and control should be taken to avoid any health crisis later in future.Keywords: uranium impact assessment, pipe born water, water works, Lagos metropolis, Nigeri