Evaluation of Enrollment Trends into Technical Education Programmes (2013-2023) In A Nigerian University Via Documentation Analysis

This study is aimed at evaluating the enrolment trends into technical education programmes in a Nigerian University via Documentation Analysis. The study was conducted at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, and it covered a period 2013-2023. A checklist titled “Technical Education Student Enrolment Trends Framework (TESET-F)” developed by the researcher was used to tabulate the data for ease of interpretation. Frequency counts and simple percentage were used as a tool for data analysis. Findings from the study indicated that that the enrolment trends into technical education programmes has witness an intermitted negative fluctuations in the last ten years to the extent that only 6% enrolment quota was filled in a particular academic year (2019/2020). The enrolment trends into technical education programme based on the three broad options favours electrical/electronic technology, building/woodwork technology and automobile/mechanical technology respectively. The enrolment of female gender into technical education is very low when compared with their male counterparts. The authors advocate on the need for concerted efforts to address the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities to improve the quality and relevance of technical education. Through this, universities in Nigeria can play a pivotal role in producing a highly skilled technical workforce that can contribute to the economic development and prosperity of the country

Assessment of cotton-seed (Gossypium species) meal as ingredient in the diet of Clarias gariepinus juveniles

The effect of feeding graded levels of cotton GossypiumSpp. seed meal as an inclusion in the diet of Clariasgariepinus juveniles for growth performance was analysed in comparison with the conventional commercial fish feed. Six experimental rations formulated were cotton-seed Gossypium spp. meal replaced fish meal at graded levels of 20%, 30%, 40% 50%, and 100% and were fed to Clarias gariepinus juveniles for 56 days. The experiment was conducted in six outdoor concrete tanks in the Department of Biological Sciences Garden, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Data for each parameter were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the means for various experimental diets were compared for significant differences at 0.05% level of inclusion. The results showed that fish fed with diet contained 20% cottonseed meal (D1) gave the best Body Weight Gain (81.28g), Specific Growth Rate (2.23), and Condition Factor (1.49), while diet contained 30% cottonseed meal (D2) gave the least Weight Gain (49.67g), Specific Growth Rate (1.58) Conversion Ratio (3.64) and Condition factor (0.79). The results were significantly different (p<0.05) for both growth and feed utilization parameters. Therefore, cotton-seed meal can be used as a replacement for fish meal at 20% level of inclusion. The results established significant reduction in production cost while optimal production is achieved.Keywords: Cotton-seed (Gossypium species), Diet, Growth performance, Clariasgariepinus juvenile

Isolation, Partial Purification and Characterization of Proteases from Aspergillus niger under Solid-State Fermentation

Proteases are enzymes with highly specialized proteolytic functions. They are ubiquitous, being found in all living organisms, they are essential for cell growth and differentiation. Besides their physiological functions and roles in living organisms, they also show great importance in various industries. The shortage of plant and animal proteases to meet the present world demand of industrial enzymes has directed increased interest in microbial proteases. Several researchers have reported on protease production from various sources. However, little is known about protease production using A. niger under solid-state fermentation. This present investigation was carried out to isolate and screen fungi from soil samples for the production, optimization, and characterization of protease. A. niger was identified morphologically and screened for protease production. Soli-state fermentation was carried out and crude protease was harvested. The effect of pH on protease activity was assayed, and different temperatures were used to test for protease activity. Also, the kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) of the crude enzyme were also determined. The results of this investigation revealed that the optimal pH and temperature of the enzyme were 8.0 and 40°C, respectively. The enzyme was found to be more stable at alkaline pH than acidic pH. It also retained 80% of its activity at 50 o C for 60 minutes. Protease activity was revealed to be highest at substrate concentration 1.0 mM. All these data suggest that the selected strain of A. niger can significantly produce protease enzyme under solid-state fermentation

Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Effects of the Chloroform Root Extract of Burm

Liver cancer is the most common cancer among males in Africa. The disease has a poor prognosis and its treatment is associated with toxicity and resistance. For this reason, numerous herbal combinations are being subjected to anticancer screening to circumvent the shortcomings of the conventional anticancer drugs. In the current study, the in vivo anti-cancer effects of the chloroform root extract of the herb, Clausena excavata Burm were investigated. Liver cancer was induced in mice by a single intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) followed by oral administration of the promoter of carcinogenesis, 2-aminoacetyl fluorine that was mixed with the mice feed. The cytotoxicity of the root extract of C. excavata on liver cancer cells was investigated using liver enzyme, histology, DNA fragmentation and caspases assays. Real time qPCR was conducted to evaluate the effect of the extract on apoptotic genes. The findings revealed that the extract of C. excavata significantly decreased the progression of hepatocarcinogenesis and the toxicity-induced production of the liver enzymes, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases. The histological analyses of the liver tissues revealed evidence of apoptotic cell death. The extract also provoked significant ( p  < .05) expressions of caspase 9 protein and gene as well as other apoptotic genes (P53, P27, Apaf-1, cytochrome C, bax and bid). Therefore, we postulate that the chloroform root extract of C. excavata induces apoptosis of liver cancer in mice