Use of soybean flour-poultry meat meal blends in practical diets of Oreochromis Niloticus and Clarias Gariepinus

The present study evaluated the use of improved soybean flour (SF) through autoclaving and blending with a readily available lowcost animal protein - poultry meat meal (PMM). Enrichment of such blends with dl-methionine, mineral supplementation and substitution of fishmeal with these blends in practical diets for Oreochromis niloticus and Clorias gariepinus were also investigated. Nutrient apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) and apparent amino acid availability (AAAA) of diets based on 25:75, 50:50 and 75:25 SF- PMM were assessed. Lipid had the highest ADC while ash had the lowest. Best protein ADC and AAAA were obtained in the 0.5% Cr203 treatment which corresponded to the lowest level of faecal crude protein. Average AAAA agreed with the pattern of overall protein digestibility in the fingerlings of both species. Methionine was the most available while cystein was least. Study on utilisation of SF-PMM Blends as dietary protein source in practical diets of O.niloticus and C. gariepinus showed that 50:50 SF:PMM was best utilised with lowest food conversion ratio (FCR), highest specific growth rate (SGR), and best protein efficiency ratio (PER). Autoclaving of raw SF before blending with PMM did improve nutrient utilisation of the blends as diets containing autoclaved SF did better than those containing raw SF. Substitution of fishmeal a t 25%, 50% and 75% with these blends showed best utilisation of the 25:75 SF:PMM blend replacing 25% fishmeal in O.niloticusand 50:50 SF:PMM blend replacing 25% fishmeal in C.gariepinus. There was consistently better utilisation of dl-methionine supplemented diets in most cases. The essential amino acid profile in the diet correlated positively with that of the carcass. (P0.05). However, there was significant correlation of dietary and carcass phosphorus in both species and tha t of calcium only in C. gariepinus (P<0.05). In conclusion, there was enhanced utilisation of SF by both fish species with these treatments

Peptic ulcer disease drugs usage patterns and its economic burden in a tertiary health institution in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Background: Drug utilization evaluation for peptic ulcer disease and its cost  implication are rare in Niger Delta. The objective of the study was to evaluate drug usage pattern in peptic ulcer diseases as well as its cost implications.Methods: The cross sectional drug use evaluation study involving the use of  questionnaire and patient case notes was carried out in a tertiary health institution. The validated pretested questionnaire was interviewer administered to 300 patients sampled consecutively followed by a retrospective review of their respective case notes between April to November 2013. Information collected include risk factors, prescribed drugs, Helicobacter pylori assay test results among others. Cost of each drug and therapy were then computed appropriately. Data was analyzed using  Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20, Microsoft Excel and Graph Pad Prism for windows Instat Version 3.Results: Out of the 300 patients, H. pylori test was conducted in 262 (87.3%) while the presence or absence of the organisms could not be confirmed in the remaining  38 subjects. Out of the 262 patients with H. pylori test results, only 166  representing 63.4% were positive. History of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) usage was very high among the subjects (250; 83.3%) and highest for ibuprofen 146 (48.7%). The most prescribed drugs were antacids (268; 89.3%), amoxicillin (165; 55.0%), and a combined formulation of omeprazole, tinidazole, and clarithromycin in 140 (46.7%) subjects, followed by omeprazole alone (125; 41.7%).The national direct cost implication for the estimated 17.6 million is in the range of NGN186,849,000,000.00 ($958,200,000.00), out which  NGN109,867,000,000.00 ($563,420,513.00) was for PUD drugs (50.9%) and NGN32,698,575,000.00 ($167,685,000.00) for H. pylori tests (17.5$303,749,400.00) was for non-ulcer drugs, personnel and transportation.Conclusion: The pattern of drugs usage is consistent with standard treatment  guidelines. Peptic ulcer drugs for the 300 subjects constituted NGN1,618,641  ($8300.72) which represents 73.0$1.04 billion). Updated  information on drug usage and their costs is needed for improved usage and system efficiency.Keywords: Peptic ulcer, H. pylori, Cost of illness, Pharmacoeconomic

Linear Subspaces of Solutions Applied to Hirota Bilinear Equations

- Linear subspace of solution is applied to Boussinesq and Kadomtseve-Petviashvili (KP) equations using Hirota bilinear transformation. A sufficient and necessary condition for the existence of linear subspaces of exponential travelling wave solutions to Hirota bilinear equations is applied to show that multivariate polynomials whose zeros form a vector space can generate the desire Hirota bilinear equations with given linear subspaces of solutions and formulate such multivariate polynomials by using multivariate polynomials which have one and only one zero

On the proportion of elements of prime order in finite symmetric groups

We give a short proof for an explicit upper bound on the proportion of permutations of a given prime order $p$, acting on a finite set of given size $n$, which is sharp for certain $n$ and $p$. Namely, we prove that if $n\equiv k\pmod{p}$ with $0\leq k\leq p-1$, then this proportion is at most $(p\cdot k!)^{-1}$ with equality if and only if $p\leq n<2n$.Comment: 7 page

Extension implementation of ILCA interventions: Dry-season cow supplementation and fodder banks

Presents results of monitoring extent & rate of adoption of two government promoted ILCA intervention packages, dry season cow supplementation & fodder banks, amongs Fulani pastoralists in the two case study areas of Kurmin Birri & Abet in Subhumid Nigeria as well as adherence to the original design & modifications introduced, success of interventions in their stated goals, its persistence, side-effects and problems that arose in implementation

Adopting Gas Automobile Fuels (LPG & CNG) into the Nigerian Transportation System

This study investigates and proposes the use of gas automobile fuels (LPG &amp; CNG) as transport fuel in Nigeria, by showing the policies and incentives that have been utilized by other countries and an analysis of the cost efficiency and environmental effect of the use of auto-gas fuels. The use of CNG and LPG as auto fuel in Nigeria presents benefits with regards to efficiency and environmental friendliness will be highlighted in this research work with emphasis on the economic advantage. Demand for natural gas is likely to overtake other fossil fuels due to its availability, accessibility, versatility and cleanliness. This research shows that adopting gas automobile fuels (LPG &amp; CNG) as an automotive fuel has few barriers but in the long run is very viable in terms of emissions of Green-house gases to the environment and financially economical. From the study, we suggest that policies and incentives would be helpful for the implementation of auto-gas as a transport fuel with regards to fiscal and regulatory such as; excise-duty exemption or rebate, grants/tax credits for gas fueling vehicles conversion/acquisition, vehicle sales-tax exemption or income/profit tax credit and more. If Auto-gas for automotive fuel is considered and implemented in the Nigerian Transportation system, it will move the Nigerian fuel market from an inelastic feature to an elastic feature. Keywords: Gas, Automobile Fuels, Transportation System, Nigerian DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-14-02 Publication date:July 31st 202

Effect of periods of hydro-priming and seed weights on the germination of Vitex doniana sweet seeds

There is paucity of information on breaking the dormancy of Vitex doniana through hydro-priming. Hydropriming is the method of ensuring uniform and high germination percentage, by soaking seeds in water and follow by drying of seeds, while the emergence of radicle is prevented. There is need to determine the appropriate periods of hydropriming to prevent over or under hydro-priming of seeds. In light of this, investigation was conducted on the effect of periods of hydro-priming and seed weights on the germination of V.doniana seeds. To assess the effect of periods of hydropriming (0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36hrs) and three seed weights (1.2, 1.4 and 3.3g) on the germination of V.doniana seeds, a split-plot experimental design with five replications was employed. Result revealed that periods of hydropriming significantly (P&lt;0.05) enhanced the germination of V.doniana. A significant germination percentage value of 50% was recorded in seeds hydroprimed for 36hours. Germination percentage of seeds increased with the increasing periods of hydropriming. Highest germination percentage value of 40% was recorded in average seed size of 1.4g A significant germination percentage of 100% was recorded in 1.4g seeds hydro-primed for 36hours. Least mean germination time of 8days was recorded for 1.4 and 3.3g seeds. Hydro-priming of 1.4g for 36hours enhances the germination percentage of V.doniana seeds. The study therefore recommends hydro-primng of 1.4g seeds for 36hours for mass production of its seedlings for agro-forestry systems.Keywords: Dormancy, Soaking and drying of seeds, Pre-sowing treatment, Germination, Agro-forestry specie

Development and Evaluation of Value-Added Biscuits of an Under-Utilised Bitter Melon Plant

Bitter melon plant is often used for some medicinal purposes in traditional medicine but its value added food products was investigated. Wheat biscuits were made for diabetic and health conscious individuals by incorporation of bitter melon extract at different levels such as 0%, 3% and 5% as sample A (control), B and C respectively. Sensory properties of the bitter melon biscuits were ranked above acceptable range by panel of judges; however, the biscuit with 100% wheat was far ranked highest in colour, texture, taste, flavour, and general acceptability. There was significance difference (p ≤ 0.05) among the three samples. The acceptability of sample A was 8.70 while sample B and C were 7.10 and 6.40. The proximate composition showed that there was significnt difference (p≤0.05) among the three samples in all the parameters analysed. The incorporation of bitter melon powder into the biscuits increased the ash content from 1.21 to 1.42%, fat content from 1.61 to 1.72%, protein from 2.37 to 2.49%. On the other hand, the crude fibre and carbohydrate were decreased significantly. This could be that the bitter melon biscuit reduced the high carbohydrate content to a low content from 87.16% to 84.17%. The phytochemical content increased as more bitter melon powder was incorporated into the biscuits and there was significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) among the samples. There was increased in phytate from 1.28% to 1.64%, tannin was 1.30 to 1.44%, oxalate was 1.10 to1.33%, saponin was 0.41 to 0.48% and alkaloid was 0.21 to 0.28% respectively. Thus, the products developed had higher ash, fat, protein and all the phytochemicals and sample B also had good colour, flavour and palatability and could still benefit diabetic, obese and health conscious people. Keywords: bitter melon, biscuit, proximate composition, phytochemicals, sensory evaluation, diabetes DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/105-06 Publication date: February 28th 202

Preliminary Study of The Nutritional Content and Phytochemical Constituent of An Under-Utilised Bitter Melon Plant

Bitter melon (momordica charantia) plant is used for some medicinal purposes in traditional medicine but the food value was investigated. The nutritional compositions and phytochemical constituents of the powdered leaf and fruit were investigated using standard analytical methods. The proximate compositions showed the percentage of moisture content (11.38 ±0.29 and 10.74 ± 0.02), ash (14.39 ±0.02 and 7.40 ± 0.1), crude fat (2.65 ±0.10 and 6.11 ± 0.05), crude fibre (16.11 ±0.04 and 13.61 ± 0.04), crude protein (21.19 ±0.52 and 27.92 ± 0.06), and carbohydrate (33.94 ±0.25 and 34.22 ± 0.11) of samples on a dry weight basis for the leaf and the fruit respectively. Also, the mineral analysis showed the concentration in mg/100g of Ca (239.65 ±0.30 and 70.60 ±0.23), Na (40.40 ±0.04 and 23.47 ±0.02), K (67.22 ±0.02 and 319.25 ±0.03), Fe (4.98 ±0.02 and 5.64 ±0.04), Zn (24.5 ±0.40 and 17.40 ±0.56) and Cu (4.96 ±0.20 and 2.57 ±0.06) of samples on a dry weight basis for the leaf and fruit respectively. Powdered samples of the leaves were extracted with water and ethanol respectively to isolate the required phytochemicals. Phytochemicals like phytate, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and oxalate were found present in appreciable level except for the glycoside which is present in trace amount in the water extract. The study indicates the presence of nutritional components that are beneficial in addition to the purported numerous medicinal values of the plant. Keywords: Momordica, bitter melon, proximate composition, minerals, phytochemicals. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR12-2-03 Publication date: January 31st 202