Changes in Serum Electrolytes and Lipid Profile in Diabetes Subjects in Freetown Sierra Leone

Background: Measurement of blood electrolytes level and lipid profile usually give good indications of the disease progression in a number of non communicable diseases. Objective: To investigate the effect of diabetes on electrolyte and lipid status of male and female diabetics in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Subjects and Methods: Serum concentrations of electrolytes and lipids in one hundred and twenty (120) adult diabetics attending some diagnostic centers in Freetown Sierra Leone were measured and compared with those of one hundred and twenty (120) non-diabetic individuals. Results: Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk ratio in diabetic patients were significantly higher (

Effect of Storage on Microbial and Sensory Qualities of Packaged Yam-Cassava “Poundo” Flour

Microbial load and Sensory quality of packaged yam-cassava poundo flour during storage were studied. Yam flour (YF) and cassava flour (CF) were mixed at different proportions to produce yam-cassava poundo flour and packaged using High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene sack (PP) respectively.  The samples were HDPE 100%YF, HDPE 90%YF: 10%CF, HDPE 85%YF: 15%CF, HDPE 80%YF: 20%CF and 100%YF, 90%YF: 10%CF, 85%YF: 15%CF and 80%YF: 20%CF. The samples were stored at ambient temperature (32 ± 2oC) and relative humidity (76 ± 3%) for 24 weeks and were subjected to microbiological and sensory tests at 4 weeks interval. Results showed that the total plate count of sample (80% YF: 20%CF) packaged in HDPE was the lowest (4.9 x 104 cfu/g) while that of sample (100% YF) packaged in PP was the highest (9.4 x 104 cfu/g) at the end of the storage period. Fungal counts increased in all the packaged samples, as storage period increased. The lowest fungal counts (3.7 x 104sfu/g) were recorded in HDPE 80%YF: 20%CF, this is significantly different  (p<0.05) from the value obtained in PP 100% YF which was the highest fungal counts obtained (9.6 x 104sfu/g). A bacterial species (Bacillus subtilis) and two fungal species (Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani) were isolated and enumerated. Data obtained from sensory test (colour, aroma, texture and overall acceptability) decreased throughout the storage period but 80%YF: 20%CF packaged in HDPE was more acceptable. The findings of this study indicate that yam-cassava poundo flour from the blend of 80%YF: 20%CF packaged in HDPE is less susceptible to microbes and more acceptable in terms of sensory qualities during a storage period of 24 weeks. &nbsp

Energy Poverty and the Security Challenges in Northern Nigeria-Incidence and the Potential for Renewables

A Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) has been used to study the incidence of energy poverty in Nigeria. Secondary data from the United States Agency for International Development was collated from over 44,000 households, from which calculated MEPI for the various regions of Nigeria show that the southwest had the least incidence of energy poverty, while the northeast region had the highest energy poverty. Cogent connections have been made between recent security challenges in the northeast with energy poverty. Reports taken from studies and the mass media show that vast majority of attacks occur in the geopolitical region. Thus, renewables such as solar and wind energies abundant in northeast Nigeria have been identified as potential solutions to ending energy poverty and hence a strategic pathway to arresting the current security challenges

Bio-preservative activities of Lactobacillus plantarum strains in fermenting Casssava ‘fufu’

The growth of three pathogens, namely Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhii were investigated in fermenting and non-fermenting cassava. The pH of the steeped cassava was also examined during fermentation. Antimicrobial effects of the Lactobacillus plantarum on the pathogens were also determined by agar diffusion method. All the pathogens were inhibited by L. plantarum strains with Staph. aureus having the highest inhibitory zone followed by E. coli and S. thyphii. However, in the fermenting cassava, the pathogens increased in population within the first 36 h of the process and decreased to complete extinction after the 96 h of fermentation. The L. plantarum exhibited high but varying degree of inhibition on the pathogens. The findings justify the bio-preservative roles of lactic acid bacteria in traditional cassava products.Key words: Bio-preservation, Lactobacillus plantarum, fermentation, cassava and pathogens

Offshore Topside Rotating Packed Bed as Process Intensified Alternative for Natural Gas Sweetening and Dehydration

This work is aimed at investigating the benefits of replacing conventional process unit operations with process intensified ones in offshore applications. This ensures that better use is made of raw materials, lower energy consumption and a reduced plant volume was achieved. Specifically, a rotating packed bed technology has been used for gas dehydration and sweetening. To achieve the aim of this study, a process intensification approach is used to redesign mature absorption processes to more compact and efficient one. Process simulation using Aspen Hysys was carried out for Triethylene glycol dehydration and monoethanolamine sweetening. More than 36-fold absorption unit size reduction was achieved thereby effecting large decrease in capital and operating costs compared to the conventional packed columns currently utilized in the offshore oil and gas industry. The process intensified technologies therefore can be deployed for offshore applications where space and size considerations are of utmost importance

Effect of Smoking Method on Quality Attributes of Traditional Smoked Silver Catfish (Chrysichthys Nigrodigitatus) from Lagos State, Nigeria

Effect of smoking methods on quality and safety of traditional smoked silver catfish from Lagos State, Nigeria was carried out with a focus on investigating the quality indices of traditional smoked silver catfish in twenty different fish processing centres.  Fresh unsmoked silver catfish and smoked silver catfish samples were collected from different processing centres and and control samples were smoked with convectional smoke kiln. Proximate and quality analyses revealed that moisture content of fresh unsmoked silver catfish samples ranged from 71.66% – 74.92% and that of smoked silver catfish samples and control samples ranged from 11.18% - 14.77% and 8.48% – 10.43% respectively. Protein content of fresh unsmoked silver catfish samples ranged from 15.70% – 17.96% and that of smoked silver catfish samples and control samples ranged from 52.96% – 58.36% and 56.81% – 61.42%. Fat content of fresh unsmoked silver catfish samples ranged from 7.58% – 9.86% and that of smoked silver catfish samples and control samples ranged from 16.52% – 20.41% and 17.52% – 20.57%. The pH value of fresh unsmoked silver catfish samples ranged from 6.78 – 7.42 and that of smoked silver catfish samples and control samples ranged from 6.27 – 6.73 and 6.51 – 6.86. The TBA values of fresh unsmoked silver catfish samples ranged from 0.90 - 1.18mgMol/kg and that of smoked silver catfish samples and control samples ranged from 1.01 - 1.15mgMol/kg and 1.00 – 1.12 mgMol/kg. The TVB-N of fresh unsmoked silver catfish samples ranged from 13.15 - 15.40mgN/kg and that of smoked silver catfish samples and control samples ranged from 17.59 - 19.69mgN/kg and 15.63 - 17.86mgN/kg. The TMA of fresh unsmoked silver catfish samples was 2.04 – 2.61mgN/kg and 2.36 – 2.96mgN/kg and 2.11 – 2.72mgN/kg for smoked silver catfish samples. This study revealed PV of 6.13 – 8.85 mgEq.peroxide/kg for fresh unsmoked silver catfish samples and 8.24 - 9.39mgEq.peroxide/kg and 7.13 - 8.67mgEq.peroxide/kg for smoked silver catfish samples. FFA of fresh unsmoked silver catfish samples was 1.00 – 1.16% while that of smoked silver catfish samples ranged from 1.03 – 1.26% and 1.00 – 1.24%. Convention smoke kiln (used for control samples) did not significantly affect pH and composition of smoked silver catfish. The study concluded that smoking method affect quality as convention smoke kiln significantly reduced the moisture content of smoked silver catfish and the quality indices such as FFA, TBA and PV. Keywords: silver catfish, smoking, traditional, quality, smoking metho

Karyomorphotypic variation in Eriospermum abyssinicum Baker

The karyomorphology of the cotton seed lily, Eriospermum abyssinicum Baker (family Eriospermaceae) was investigated through mitotic and meiotic studies. The chromosome complement was karyotypically analysed based on chromosome arm ratio and centromeric indices. The somatic chromosome complement of 2n = 24 recorded at metaphase I and the 12 bivalents at prophase I of meiosis suggested x = 6 basic chromosome number and paleopolyploidization process in the evolution of this species. There was no evidence of B chromosome or nucleolar-organizer in the complements. Variation in position of centromere ranged from the median to sub-median and sub-terminal. We found slight variation between some homologues in terms of lengths which suggest hybrid origin (allopolyploidy) of the genome. The microspore mother cell had normal meiosis with subsequent formation of 4 daughter nuclei and normal spores suggesting that the changes in chromosome behaviour occurred at very low frequency and these changes were transient with no evidence of phenotypic and genomic instability (aneuploidy) consequences. It was therefore inferred that the population of E. abyssinicum studied might have evolved through changes in chromosome structure or through natural hybridisation between closely related populations.Key words: Eriospermum abyssinicum, lily, chromosome, karyotype

Effect of Working Capital Management on the Profitability of Selected Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria

There is no doubt that the ultimate objective of any firm is to maximize profit. However, the preservation of the liquidity of a firm is an important objective too and it is the efficient management of the various components of working capital that helps to preserve liquidity. This paper therefore examined the effect of working capital management on profitability of selected manufacturing companies. Secondary data gathered from the annual reports of six selected companies in Nigeria covering the period between 2006 and 2013 was used for the study. Purposive sampling technique was adopted and data collected was analysed using panel data least square method of regression. The study found a significant negative relationship between the components of working capital (DCP, APP and ITID) and profitability (ROI). The study therefore concluded that working capital management has significant impact on profitability of manufacturing companies and recommended that companies should manage their cash, accounts receivables, inventories and accounts payable with a view to reducing the cash conversion cycle so as to increase their profitability amongst other things

Carcass characteristics and cost benefits of two broiler strains as affected by duration of feed withdrawal at finisher phase

The present study was undertaken to examine the before and post-slaughter characteristics of two broiler strains under feed withdrawal regime during the hot weather conditions. 180 day-old broiler chicks comprising 90 chicks each of Arbor Acre and Ross 308 were procured from reputable hatchery, and were raised for four weeks before being distributed randomly to three groups of feed withdrawal regime. The treatments are: T1= ad libitum (control), T2= 8-12noon feeding (morning) and T3= 12noon-4pm feeding (afternoon). Each treatment was replicated thrice with 10 birds per replicate. At 49th day, three birds per treatment were randomly taken after starving them overnight for carcass evaluation. Analysed data showed that there was no significant effect of strain on live weight, carcass and non-carcass traits regardless of feed restriction employed. But Arbor Acre recorded higher net profit than Ross308 in terms of cost of production on strain basis. With regard to duration of feed withdrawal, dressed weight, eviscerated weight, carcass weight and back weight were significantly affected by the feeding regime imposed on the birds. Birds on ad libitum and afternoon feeding groups had higher and superior mean values to morning group. This implies that feeding birds in the afternoon under favourable conditions and improved management practices is beneficial and economically viable and profitable

Molecular Identification And Population Dynamics Of The Major Malaria Vectors In A Rainforest Zone Of Nigeria

Adult female mosquito vectors were collected from three villages in a typical rain forest area of Nigeria where no information exists on the major malaria vectors associated with human malaria. Sampling was carried out between January 2004 and January 2005 using pyrethrum and Human landing catch (HLC) techniques. A total catch of 2010 mosquitoes was recorded out of which 1800 were morphologically identified as female Anopheline mosquitoes. Further identification of the Anopheline species using the morphological keys revealed that 1399 (77.7%) belonged to the Anopheles gambiae s.l. and 401 (22.3%) to Anopheles funestus . A PCR based test on the Anopheles gambiae group identified 636 (45.5%) as Anopheles gambiae s.s and 763 (54.5%) as Anopheles arabiensis respectively. The cocktail PCR-assayon the total Anopheles funestus group showed 307 (76.6%), to be Anopheles funestus s.s and 94 (23.4%) to be Anopheles leesoni . The total number of Anopheles gambiae collected across the 3 villages was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the number of Anopheles funestus caught within the same period. However, there was a seasonal difference in the population of Anopheline species collected in which the wet season collections constitute 45.4% An.gambiae s.l and 17.7% An.funestus while the dry season population constitutes 32.3% An.gambiae s.l and 4.5% An.funestus. The dry seasoncollections were predominantly An. arabiensis producing 23.9% of the total catch in.The overall number of Anopheles mosquitoes collected in the wet season was significantly higher than that of the dry season (P<0.01). Generally, low sporozoite rates were recorded in all the communities and this may be an indication that transmission in this area is less intense. This study provides information on mosquito ecology, genetic and molecular techniques for identification of species complexes which are important strategies for planning malaria control programmes