The influence of diets and body manipulations on the growth of African prawn Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Herklots)

Live African prawns Macrobrachium vollenhovenii were collected from Asejire reservoir (Nigeria) by trapping. After acclimatization, the prawns were differently amputated: some had their eye-stalks cut; some had their chelae cut; some had both eyestalks and chelae cut while some were intact which served as the control. Each set was placed under different levels of crude protein viz 15%; 20%; and 25%. Weekly weight changes were monitored. Results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis including analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that prawns fed with 20% crude protein had the best growth rate. Specimens with the eyestalk and chelae removed also showed superior growth when compared with the others. Specimens that had their eyestalks removed were able to feed for 18 hours in the day while those with intact body fed for 6 hours during the same period. The amputation of the chelate appendages reduced considerably the cannibalistic urge in the prawns. This enabled a high number of prawns to be grown in the experimental tank

Indigenous Agricultural Practices and Adaptation Strategies Among Rural Farmers to Climate Change Incidence in Southwest, Nigeria

The prediction of climatic changes has the potential to severely affect rural farmers’ livelihoods, resulting in food insecurity, among other consequences. This study aimed to assess the indigenous agricultural practices and adaptation strategies among rural farmers to climate change incidence in Southwest, Nigeria. Primary data on the socio-economic characteristics, farming activities of rural farmers that contribute to climate changes, indigenous adaptation practices and factors influencing the adoption of these adaptation strategies in the study area. Multistage sampling techniques were used for the study. Two (Oyo and Ogun) of the six states in southwest Nigeria was selected purposively for the study Structured interview guide was used to elicit information from the rural farmers. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that above half (51.4%) of the respondents were between 41-60years age range. The mean age of rural farmers was 53.5years. 69.2% were married, 75.6% were Yoruba, 72.3% had formal education, and 63.2% of the rural farmers had between 11 - 25years of farming experience with the mean farming experience of 22years. The main farming activities that contribute to climate changes were bush burning, continuous farming activities, overgrazing and use of fertilizer application. Majority (85.7%) of the respondents utilize multiple/intercropping farming, 82.3% utilize resistant varieties and 81.1% utilize mulching as indigenous adaptation strategies. Factors influencing the adoption of these adaptation strategies were shifting in planting date, access to extension service and training and indigenous knowledge practice. Regression result reveals that age, sex, household size and educational level were factors influencing the adoption of these adaptation strategies at 1%, 5% and 10% in the study area. The study concludes that various adaptation strategies were used by the rural farmers in response to altered farming resulting from experienced environmental degradation due to or similarly situated to events associated with climate change. It is therefore recommended that most of the strategies/practices currently used by rural farmers should be improved upon to ensure appropriate sustainable agricultural development in the country. Keywords: Indigenous, Agriculture, Practices, Adaptation, Strategies, Climate Change, Southwest; DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-7-03 Publication date:July 31st 202

A Review of the Efficiency of Alternative Feed Sources for Cultured Catfish Species in Nigeria

The African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, is a major cultured food fish in Nigeria because of its fast growth, good feed conversion, hardiness, and high market value. However, one of the problems facing catfish production is the high cost of fish feed caused by the escalating cost of fishmeal, the main protein source in fish feeds. In Nigeria, the raw material for fish feed formulation such as under-utilized “trash” fish, groundnut cake, palm kernel cake and soybeans are becoming increasingly expensive. The sustainability of the catfish culture industry, therefore, depends on reducing the fishmeal content of fish feeds by finding alternative protein sources of good nutritional quality that are readily available and more cost effective than fishmeal. Keywords: Cultured Catfish Species, Alternative Feed Sources DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-16-03 Publication date:September 30th 2023

De Novo PTEN Mutation in a Young Boy with Cutaneous Vasculitis

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is the protein encoded by the PTEN gene (10q23.3). PTEN mutations are related to a variety of rare diseases referred to collectively as PTEN hamartoma tumor syndromes (PHTS), which include Cowden Syndrome, Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, Proteus Syndrome, and Proteus-like syndrome. These diseases are associated with an increased risk of malignancy and for this reason an accurate and early diagnosis is essential in order to institute cancer surveillance. PTEN is a regulator of growth and homeostasis in immune system cells, although there are limited data describing immune dysregulation caused by PTEN mutations. We describe a case of PHTS syndrome caused by a de novo mutation in PTEN detected using a targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) gene panel which was instigated for workup of cutaneous vasculitis. We highlight the diagnostic utility of this approach and that mutations in PTEN may be associated with immune-dysregulatory features such as vasculitis in young children

The demand analysis for fresh fish in Abeokutta Metropolis of Ogun State

This study examined the demand analysis for fresh fish in Abeokuta metropolis of Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of structured interview schedules and direct interview to elicit information from 150 fresh fish consumers randomly selected from within the locality of three major fresh fish markets (Olomore, Itoku, and Kuto). The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis which revealed that most of the fresh fish consumers (95.9%) were literates with mean household size of 5 persons. Also, 70% of the respondents are female out of which 71.3% are married, 52.8% were in the active age of 31-40 years old, and 70% are Yoruba speakers. Few (33.3%) of the high income earners spends the least income expenditure on fresh fish while 67.7% of the low income earners spends on frozen fish. It was evident from the study that the quantity of fish demanded increases as household size, income and age increases. The regression results shows that 36.8% of the total variation in the demand for fresh fish are variables while the remaining 63.2% were not explained by variables with R value of 0.368 according to the equation. Based on the findings, it was discovered that many people preferred fresh fish to frozen fish; efforts should be made to discourage importation of frozen fish and divert the huge amount spent on importation on expansion of aquaculture industry for the provision of more fresh fish for the consumers

Vasculitis in a patient with mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD): a case report

Background: Mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) is a rare autoinflammatory condition caused by biallelic loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in mevalonate kinase (MVK) gene encoding the enzyme mevalonate kinase. Patients with MKD display a variety of non-specific clinical manifestations, which can lead to diagnostic delay. We report the case of a child presenting with vasculitis that was found by genetic testing to be caused by MKD, and now add this autoinflammatory disease to the ever-expanding list of causes of monogenic vasculitides. Case presentation: A 2-year-old male presented with an acute 7-day history of high-grade fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding and extensive purpuric and necrotic lesions, predominantly affecting the lower limbs. He had been suffering from recurrent episodes of fever from early in infancy, associated with maculopapular/petechial rashes triggered by intercurrent infection, and after vaccines. Extensive infection screen was negative. Skin biopsy revealed small vessel vasculitis. Visceral digital subtraction arteriography was normal. With a diagnosis of severe idiopathic cutaneous vasculitis, he was treated with corticosteroids and mycophenolate mofetil. Despite that his acute phase reactants remained elevated, fever persisted and the vasculitic lesions progressed. Next-generation sequencing revealed compound heterozygous mutation in MVK c.928G > A (p.V310M) and c.1129G > A (p.V377I) while reduced mevalonate enzyme activity was confirmed suggesting a diagnosis of MKD as a cause of the severe vasculitis. Prompt targeted treatment with IL-1 blockade was initiated preventing escalation to more toxic vasculitis therapies and reducing unnecessary exposure to cytotoxic treatment. Conclusions: Our report highlights the broad clinical phenotype of MKD that includes severe cutaneous vasculitis and emphasizes the need to consider early genetic screening for young children presenting with vasculitis to exclude a monogenic vasculitis which may be amenable to targeted treatment

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT, ITS ADAPTATION MEASURES ON FISHERMEN LIVELIHOOD STATUS IN COASTAL AREA OF SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Climate change effect and adaptation measure on the livelihood deeds of artisanal Fishermen was carried out within the coastal areas of Southwest Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 263 fishermen from Lagos, Ogun and Ondo States. Information obtained was with the use of structured interviewed schedule and subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance. Findings shows that majority (65.4%) of the Fishermen were between 45-64 years of age, 77.9% married, 67.7% had above 11 years of fishing experience across the Coastal area of Southwest, Nigeria. Also, 22.4% of Fishermen in the coastal area have access to extension services while 22.4% of them only had access to extension services. Major livelihood activities were fishing gathering (95.1%), fish processing (91.6%) and fish marketing (81.7%) in the selected area. the main effect of climate change on the fishermen activities were flooding (x̄= 2.43), while increased waves were (x̄ = 2.24), ocean surge (x̄ =2.23), rainfall intensity (x̄ = 2.07) and high temperature (x̄ = 2.06) respectively across the selected states respectively. Majority of the artisanal Fisherfolk utilized different adaptation measures/practices towards climate change. There were significant relationship (p < 0.05) between the respondent sex (c2 = 19.342, df = 1), educational level (c2 = 11.242, df = 4), ethnicity (c2 = 10.523) and climate change effect on livelihood deeds of artisanal Fishermen across selected states. Correlation result also reveals significant relationship (p < 0.05) between age (r = 0.872), household size (r = 0.653), years of fishing experience (r = 0.815) and the climate change effect on livelihood activities of artisanal Fishermen across selected States, Results also showed that there is significant difference in the effect of climate change on livelihood of artisanal Fishermen (F = 16.325; P = 0.001) across the selected states. The study realized that Artisanal Fishermen sampled experienced high effect of climate change in term of flooding, increased waves, ocean surges, rainfall intensity and high temperature across the selected States sampled. The study recommended that Artisanal Fishermen should be participating in policy and strategy formulation in mitigate climate change impacts on their fishing and livelihood activities so as to reduce the vulnerability of the effects caused by climate change in the coastal areas. Keywords: Artisanal, Climate change, Coastal communities, Fishermen, Livelihood activities, Southwest. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-12-07 Publication date:September 30th 2023

Case report: marfan syndrome (MFS) mimicking cutaneous vasculitis

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder caused by variants in the extracellular microfibril fibrillin (FBN1) gene. Here we report an FBN1 variant in a child with an unusual skin rash mimicking cutaneous vasculitis, and mild aortic root dilatation. The case was complicated by lack of typical skeletal MFS phenotype; and severe needle phobia preventing any blood testing for workup of suspected vasculitis. Therefore inflammatory markers, autoantibody profile and general hematology/biochemistry results were unknown. Diagnosis of MFS was made via genetic testing of a saliva sample alone using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) targeted gene panel designed to screen for monogenic forms of vasculitis and noninflammatory vasculopathic mimics. This revealed the patient was heterozygous for a pathogenic frameshift variant in FBN1; NM_000138, c.1211delC, p.(Pro404Hisfs*44), predicted to cause premature protein truncation leading to loss of function. The variant has not been detected in control populations and has previously been detected in individuals with MFS. This rapid diagnosis significantly impacted the patient management: avoidance of invasive investigations; avoidance of unnecessary immunosuppression; facilitating genetic counselling of the index case and family; and directly informing lifelong monitoring and ongoing treatment for aortic root involvement from MFS. This case further emphasizes the diagnostic utility of NGS early in the diagnostic workup of paediatric patients referred with suspected vasculitis, and we emphasize that MFS can present with cutaneous vasculitic-like features in the absence of the typical Marfanoid skeletal phenotype

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE FADAMA II PROJECT TO AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The National Fadama Development Project (FADAMA II) was an idea conceived by the World Bank, Africa Development Bank and Federal Government with active involvements of the State and Local governments as quick and sustainable agriculture and rural development strategy targeted at dry sea- son farming activities and related agro–processing and marketing. This study was carried out to as- sess the contributions of Fadama II project to aquaculture development in Ogun State, Nigeria. 120 fish farmers were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques and structured, pre-tested and vali- dated interview guides to elicit information from fish farmers. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that majority of the respondents were male (60.8%), married (84.2%), cultured Clarias spp. only (62.5%) and also had large household sizes (63.3%), secondary education (44.2%), source of aquaculture messages was mainly from telephone (GSM-66.7%) and extension guides/bulletins (75.8%), and generated large annual fisheries’ income from Fadama aquaculture (65.8%). Fadama II project had contributed positively to acquisition of pro- ductive asset, poverty reduction, increased income, rural infrastructure, provision of input supports, project management, reduced fish culture period, increase in overall fish yield, expansion of fishery business, improvement in livelihood, and demand-responsive advisory services. The results also showed that majority of the fish farmers considered both lack of finance and high cost/lack of construc- 2 tion equipment as serious factors affecting their fish farming. The results of Chi-square analysis (X ) revealed that there was a significant relationship between the Fadama II project and aquaculture de- velopment in provision of Pilot Assets Acquisition Support (X2 = 52.050; P<0.05). Based on the find- ings, it was recommended that more Fadama facilitators should be employed to provide technical knowledge to fish farmers on how to use some equipment and on how to improve their fish farming business and productivity

The socio-economic analysis of small scale fish farmers in Lagos State fish farm estate, Ikorodu, Nigeria

This study was conducted to evaluate the socio-economic analysis of small scale fish farmers in Lagos state fish farming estate in Ikorodu, Nigeria. The primary data were obtained from 60 respondents with structured interview guides and face to face interview, which were selected using simple random sampling techniques. The result revealed that most (88.3%) of the fish farmers are male while (31.40%) are in the active age distribution of 31-40 years, university education (63.0%) and 58.3% were married, 73.4% had a household size that ranged between 3 - 5 persons. Results of the descriptive analyses and tests of significance however showed that there was a significant relationship between socio-economic characteristics and constraint of fish farmers in the estate, there is also a significant relationship between income of fish farmers and constraints of the fish farm enterprise. Implications of these findings were critically-examined, and pertinent recommendations were proffered based on the salient findings in the study