International Annals of Science
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Prevalence of Intestinal Helminth Infections of Stray Dogs of Public Health Significance in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria
Get PDFGlobally, stray dogs have been a major source of zoonoses such as cutaneous larval migrans, visceral larval migrans and hydatidosis. These dogs are recognized as being a major public health problem where their population is unchecked. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites of stray dogs in Lagos metropolis. Stools of 96 stray dogs were examined microscopically for ova of these parasites using centrifugation flotation method. Four species of intestinal helminths were identified. The overall prevalence of helminths infection was 61.4%, with Ancylostoma caninum having a prevalence of 62.5%, Toxocara canis 20.8%, Dipylidium caninum 18.7% and Strongyloides stercoralis 2.0%. T. canis had the highest worm burden of 1,250 egg per gram (EPG) while S. stercoralis had the least (100 EPG). The areas with the most helminth infections were Yaba (n=12, X̄=1.58, SD=0.793), Agege (n=11, X̄=1.73, SD=0.786) and Ikotun (n=11, X̄=1.45, SD=0.820). S. stercoralis was only found in samples obtained from Mushin and Ikorodu. Most of the stool samples obtained from this study had mixed infections, 83.3% were infected with three helminth species, 8.3% were infected with four helminth species and none had double infection. Mushin had the most mixed infections (n=4, X̄=1.900, SD=1.101) while Obalende had the least (n=1, X̄=1.000, SD=0.000). Most of the intestinal helminth parasites identified in this study are zoonotic and thus pose a public health problem. Environmental factors seem to influence the health condition of these dogs, thus concerted efforts should be made to reduce the growing population of stray dogs on the street of Lago
He’s Multiple-Scale Solution for the Three-Dimensional Nonlinear KH Instability of Rotating Magnetic Fluids
Get PDFThis paper elucidates a trend in solving nonlinear oscillators of the rotating Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. The system is constituted by the vertical flux or the horizontal flux. He’s multiple-scales perturbation methodology has been applied and therefore the system is represented by a generalized homotopy equation. This approach ends up in a periodic answer to a nonlinear oscillator with high nonlinearity. The cubic-quintic nonlinear Duffing equation is obligatory as a condition to uniformly answer. This equation is employed to derive the stability criteria. The transition curves are plotted to investigate the stability image. It's shown that the angular velocity suppresses the instability. The tangential flux plays a helpful role, whereas the vertical field encompasses a destabilizing influence. Within the existence of the rotation, the velocity ratio reduces stability configuration
Post Bioremediation Effect on Soil Fertility using Substrate from Livestock Byproduct
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to examine data obtained from soil physicochemical properties before and after initiation of bioremediation using liquid manure as a nutrient source. Bioremediation was initiated by stimulating autochthonous microorganisms present in soil rhizosphere while remediation was determined by soil physicochemical status after nutrient amendment. Rhizomes of turmeric were planted in soil treated with liquid manure and control in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data generated from soil physicochemical parameters both in the laboratory and field were analyzed before and after treatment/cultivation. The study showed that treated soil increased total nitrogen, organic matter, organic carbon, exchangeable potassium, cation exchange capacity (CEC), calcium and exchangeable phosphorus. On the other hand, it decreased soil acidity, pH and exchangeable aluminium. There were no observable differences in magnesium concentration. Soil texture had more sand and a corresponding decline in silt and clay. Findings in this study revealed that soil that benefitted from treatment option is statistically significant at 0.05 p-level
Extraction and Characterization of Underutilized Seed Oils Sampled in South-western Nigeria
Get PDFCitrullus lanatus (watermelon) and Sesamum indicum (sesame) are edible plants that provide a lot of nutritional benefits to man; despite their wide consumption and benefits, their seed oils remain underutilized. Seed oils from these plants found in south-western Nigeria were analyzed for their physico-chemical properties. Oil was extracted from the seeds using Soxhlet apparatus and n-hexane as the solvent; physico-chemical properties were determined using standard analytical procedures. Watermelon seed oil had a golden brown colour while sesame seed oil had a carton brown colour; they had saponification values of 258.99 mgKOH/g and 261.34 mgKOH/g respectively. Acid value ranged from 2.13 – 2.51 mgKOH/g; iodine value of 39.7 - 42.3 gI2/100g and peroxide value of 1.39 – 2.43 meqKOH/g was determined in the seed oils. Oils from these seeds have numerous domestic and industrial potentials such as cooking, frying, production of soaps, and cosmetics to mention a few
Comparative Proximate Composition of Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties Grown in South-western Nigeria
Get PDFMaize, a highly cultivated multipurpose cereal has different varieties grown globally. Six majorly known varieties (Hybrid red solo- V1, Red solo- V2, Solo- V3, Popcorn- V4, Small white- V5 and Big white- V6) found in south-western Nigeria were purposefully selected because of their abundance across the region and were analyzed for their proximate composition. Their composition of different nutrients varied; % crude fat was significantly higher in V5 (4.25%), V4 had a significantly higher % ash content of 1.93%, % crude protein ranged from 9.32% – 15.75%, V2 had a significantly low % crude fibre of 0.86%, while V1 had a significantly higher % carbohydrate content of 74.40%. Knowledge of the levels of nutrients present in the different varieties will help in choosing the variety that can suit any intended purpose. V6 (Big white) seems to be the most preferable for human and animal consumption because of its significantly high content in protein and crude fibre coupled with a considerably high fat content
Comparative Studies on the Susceptibility of Three Tubers of Dioscorea Species to Dry Rot in Anyigba, Kogi State
Get PDFVarious yam species are cultivated but white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.), water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) and yellow yam (Dioscorea cayenensis Lam.) are among the most cultivated in Nigeria. The Susceptibility of three tubers of Dioscorea species (D. rotundata, D. alata and D. cayenensis) to dry rot pathogens was investigated. Isolation was made from rotted tuber tissues, followed by pathogenicity test and identification of isolates; two fungal species Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonifer were isolated and identified as the major fungi causing yam tuber dry rot in the study area. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the susceptibility of the various Dioscorea tuber species studied to rot caused by Aspergillus niger [D. rotundata (20mm), D. alata (11mm) and D. cayenensis (3.5mm)] and Rhizopus stolonifer [ D. rotundata (17.5mm), D. alata (10mm) and D. cayenensis (2mm)]. The phytochemical contents of the three tubers of Dioscorea species examined also varied significantly, with the bioactive substances of D. cayenensis and D. alata relatively higher when compared to D. rotundata. Therefore, this research reveals that three metabolites; Saponin, Flavonoid and Tanin constitute the major trait for resistant ability of D. cayanesis and D. alata to dry rot causing pathogen. Therefore, it is necessary that the differences in susceptibility be considered when developing yam barns. Also, researchers should work on genetically improving the susceptible white yam (D. rotundata) which is commonly eaten by millions of Nigerians with a possibility of increasing the quantities of the deficient phytochemicals
Progression of Treating Alzheimer's Disease with Stem Cell-based Therapies
Get PDFAlzheimer’s disease is one form of dementia affecting a significant proportion of the population. The etiology of this prevalent disease is currently unknown. It is postulated that AD can be treated by using stem cell-based therapies by replacing the lost neurons in the atrophic regions of the brain. For these novel therapies to be successful several sources of stem cells have been proposed, such as pluripotent stem cells as well as multipotent stem cells. Proof of concept in animal studies have shown that stem cells can grafted into the affected regions or delivered intravenously into affected parts of the brain. These experiments had improved cognition and memory performance in rodents. The promising results seen in animal models have increased interest in conducting clinical trials using the same technique. In the last 5 years, several treatments have reached phase II clinical trials.
Effects of Four Different Food Additives on the Oxidative Stress Markers of Wistar Albino Rats
Get PDFThis work investigated the effects of food additives on the oxidative stress markers and liver marker enzymes. Food additives are products added to the basic food stuff with an aim of improving its flavor, aspect, texture, color, taste, and value. Thirty (30) Wistar rats were divided into five groups of six rats each. Group A received a daily dose of distillated water and normal rat pellet, Group B, C, D and E received 20 mg/kg body of Aspartame, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium nitrite and sodium sulfite respectively. The duration for exposure of these animals to food additives was 30 days and the groups were observed daily for general conditions. At the end of feeding the animals, blood samples were collected and analyzed. The result of the analysis showed that ALT significantly (p<0.05) increased with sodium nitrite and sodium sulfite while ALP increased significantly (p<0.05) with sodium sulphite. The oxidative stress biomarker, catalase showed a significant increase with sodium benzoate and sodium sulphite. The results revealed that the food additives are injurious to the animals. The toxicity of the food additives studied at 20 mg/kg are in the order of Sodium nitrite > Sodium benzoate > Sodium sulphite > Aspartame
Application of Genetic Algorithm in Common Optimization Problems
Get PDFUse of non-deterministic algorithms for solving multi-variable optimization problems is widely used nowadays. Genetic Algorithm belongs to a group of stochastic biomimicry algorithms, it allows us to achieve optimal or near-optimal results in large optimization problems in exceptionally short time (compared to standard optimization methods). Major advantage of Genetic Algorithm is the ability to fuse genes, to mutate and do selection based on fitness parameter. These methods protect us from being trapped in local optima (Most of deterministic algorithms are prone to getting stuck on local optima). In this paper we experimentally show the upper hand of Genetic Algorithms compared to other traditional optimization methods by solving complex optimization problem
Phytochemical, Proximate and Elemental Composition of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray leaves
Get PDFIn recent times, medicinal plants are being greatly used ethnomedicinally for the management and treatment of diseases and health conditions. One of such medicinal plants is Tithonia diversifolia. This study aimed at determining the phytochemical, elemental and proximate content of the powdered plant part to help infer what is responsible for the reported therapeutic characteristics of the plant as well as determine the quality, purity and safety profile of the plant. Leaves of T.diversifolia were subjected to phytochemical, proximate and mineral screening using standard laboratory procedures. Qualitative phytochemical observation revealed the presence of Tannins, saponins, flavonoids and terpenoids. Crude Protein content was the highest with 27.69% followed by Crude Fibre (14.89%), Ash (13.86%), Moisture Content (10.92%) and the least value 1.14% for Fat. Magnesium (Mg) content was highest with 6712.50mg/kg which is 22, 35, 122 & 144 times higher than the content of Iron (Fe) (291.5mg/kg), Manganese (Mn) (191.0mg/kg), Zinc (Zn) (54.9mg/kg) and Copper (Cu) (15.1mg/kg). However, elements (heavy metals) Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Cobalt (Co) were not detected. Results obtained in the study is indicative of a potential drug substitute which can be used to help manage and treat diseases due to the phytochemicals, nutrients, and minerals present in them. Also, the safety indices of this plant part have been established, thus, information obtained from the study can serve as a reference standard for the plant monograph