Table of content

Survey of Fisheries Resources of Nguru Lake

Abubakar, M. M. and Auta, J…………………………………………………………….…………….…………..…            1- 8

Plasma Protein Profile in Children with Hbas and Hbss in Ughelli Government

Hospital, Delta State, Nigeria

Emojevwe Victor and Igweh J. C…………………………………..………………………………………………            9-19

Production, Marketing, Nutritional Value and Uses of Fluted Pumpkin

 (Telfairia Occidentalis Hook. F.) In Africa

Janet O. Alegbejo……………………………………………………………………………………………………………           20-27

Improvement of the Thermal Efficiency of Biogas Produced From

Neem Litter

Y. M. Ngulde ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………                    28-37       

Gut Helminths Parasites and Host Nfluence in Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis Nilloticus

Ohaeri, C. C...…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………            38-43

Prevalence of Bovine Paramphistomosis in Maiduguri Metropolis

Biu, A. A, Amina, I., Kumshe, H.A. and Hussaina, H. D. ……………………….……………………                44-47

A Comparative Study on the Use of Liquid Based Cytology and Conventional

Pap smear in Cervical Screening

Udeajah Victoria Ndidiamaka and Chinaka Chidinma Christiana……………………………                 48-62

Powdered Activated Carbon from Mango Seed (Mangifera Indica) From Uptake

of Organic Compounds from Aqueous Media

Umudi, E. Q. and Ukpebor, E.J………………………………………………………………………………………            63-67

POWDERED ACTIVATED CARBON FROM MANGO SEED (Mangifera Indica) FROM UPTAKE OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS FROM AQUEOUS MEDIA

¹Umudi, E. Q. and ²Ukpebor, E.J

¹Department of Chemistry,College of Education, Agbor.Delta State, Nigeria

²Department of Chemistry, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria

E-mail: ese.umudi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Powdered activated carbon (PAC) was prepared from endocarp of mango seed (Mangifera indica) by steeping air-dried samples in phosphoric acid 45% v/v and ammonium chloride 4% w/v for 12 hours followed by pyrolysis at 350⁰C for 3 hours. The activated carbon obtained in each case was washed free of acid/base and characterised in terms of bulk density surface area (iodine number) and total surface charge.  The effectiveness of activated carbon prepared from the endocarp of mango seed in removing the organic compound from aqueous solution was determined from Chemical Oxygen Demand measurement before and after treatment with the activated carbon.  The results obtained indicate potential for the utilization of endocarp of mango seeds for the remediation of wastewater.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE USE OF LIQUID BASED CYTOLOGY AND CONVENTIONAL PAP SMEAR IN CERVICAL SCREENING

Udeajah Victoria Ndidiamaka¹ and Chinaka Chidinma Christiana²

¹Department of Medical Laboratory, Ebonyi State University

²Federal Teaching Hospital Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Ebonyi State

E-mail:Vakadujah45@yahoo.com; dinmaceecee@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The high rate of cervical cancer in women and the inadequacy in its results during diagnosis has necessitated the comparison of the two major techniques used in its diagnosis which is the Liquid based technique and conventional Pap smear method. The aim of this thesis is to compare the accuracy of conventional cytology with liquid based cytology for primary screening of cervical cancers. The two cytological techniques were compared in a group of 300 women who visited Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital for cervical screening. Outcome of the two screening methods was compared with regard to the determination of the specificity and sensitivity of both methods using histopathology as gold standard. Out of the 300 cases screened 38 and 30 cases were diagnosed as Low grade squamous intraepithelial  lesion and High grade squamous intraepithelial  lesion respectively by Liquid based cytology and about 32 and 24 cases were diagnosed as Low grade squamous intraepithelial  lesion and High grade squamous intraepithelial  lesion respectively on conventional cytology. 250 cases were satisfactory for evaluation using the LBC and 140 cases were found satisfactory on conventional cytology. Sensitivity and specificity of LBC was 100% and that of conventional cytology 86% and 97% respectively. From the result above it showed that LBC gives more accurate results. Though both methods have high sensitivity and specificity, LBC still has a higher sensitivity and specificity when compared to conventional Pap smear. On the other hand, the unit cost of LBC method is substantially more than that of conventional cytology.

PREVALENCE OF BOVINE PARAMPHISTOMOSIS IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS

*Biu, A. A¹, Amina, I.,² Kumshe, H.A.³ and Hussaina, H. D.⁴

^1&4Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology,

University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

E-mail Address: biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Oesophageal grooves of rumen of cattle slaughtered at the Maiduguri abattoir were examined for paramphistomes. Of the 150 cattle axamined, this study revealed an overall prevalence of 52 (34.7%) with Paramphistomum cervi Colicophoron colicophorum and Gastrothylax crumenifer having 26 (50 %), 18 (34.6%) and 8 (15.4%) respectively (p<0.05). The distribution of paramphistomes based on sex and age of the cattle examined showed more infested cows 32 (38.6%) with a mean worm burden of 189 compared to the bulls with 20 (29.9%) and a mean worm burden of 135 (p>0.05). More adults were infested 43(31.2) with a mean worm burden of 232 compared to the young 9 (21.9%) with mean worm burden of 92 (p<0.05).

GUT HELMINTHS PARASITES AND HOST INFLUENCE IN NILE TILAPIA, OREOCHROMIS NILLOTICUS

Ohaeri, C. C.

Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology

College of Natural and Applied Sciences

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

ABSTRACT

Ecological associations of helminthes were studied in 37 Nile tilapia fish from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike fishpond and two streams: Anya and Obo-ogugu in Umuahia during 2001.  Two helminthes parasites, Caryophyllaeldcestode (13) and Euclinostomumheterostomum (6) were recovered.  Parasite load was found to be related to host sex, size (age), concurrent infections and collection site.  Distribution of helminthes in the host intestine was related to the intensity of infection and concurrent infections.  The findings provide strong evidence of increased parasite species richness with individual host body size.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE THERMAL EFFICIENCY OF BIOGAS PRODUCED FROM NEEM LITTER

Y. M. Ngulde and Yerima I.

Department of Biological Sciences

University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

E-mail: yunusanguldemaina@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT                                                           

Cooking gas has today become highly essential but unaffordable commodity in many homes institutions and industries in Nigeria. Efforts are being made towards sourcing for alternative cheaper and more affordable energy sources especially those that impact less pressure on our already fragile environment one of which is biogas.  The constituents of cumulative biogas generated from neemlitter was determined by passing the biogas through a gas chromatography and the result revealed the percentage ratio of the elements that constitutes the composition of neemlitter biogas as methane (CH₄) – 54%, carbon dioxide (CO₂) – 38.5%, oxygen (O₂) – 0.05%, Ammonia (NH₄) – 1, Hydrogen (H₂) – 0.6%, Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) – 0.8%, Nitrogen (N₂) – 3.35%, Water vapour, (H₂O) – 0.8% and others 0.17%.  The study also subjected the cumulative biogas to refinement processes by passing the biogas through chambers of acidified potassium permanganate solution (Kmno₄), concentrated potassium hydroxide solution (KOH) and hygroscopic substance (CaO) with the view to find out the possible variations of the values of each elements of the biogas after the refinement processes and the results showed that there were variations which were noted as follows methane (CH₄) – 58.08%  carbon dioxide (CO₂) – 30.2%, oxygen (O₂) – 0.02%, Water vapour, (H₂O) – 0.3% and others 0.25%. The unrefined and refined biogas were subjected to heating processes to determined their thermal efficiency and the result revealed that there was an increase in temperature in the heating process carried out by the refined biogas while no increase in temperature was noted by the unrefined biogas. The volume of gases utilized in the heating process also varies in both cases.

PRODUCTION, MARKETING, NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND USES OF FLUTED PUMPKIN (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F.) IN AFRICA

Janet O. Alegbejo

Department of Paediatrics

Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria

ABSRACT

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F., Family: Curcubitaceae) have two main varieties in Nigeria: Ugu-ala and Ugu-elu which are widely cultivated in the West and Central Africa. It is called ‘ugu’ by the Igbos, ‘ugwu’ by the Yorubas and ‘ekobon’ by the Cameroonians. Fluted pumpkin grows best in warm humid tropics therefore it is a rain fed crop but can be grown under irrigation. During the rainy season, staking is commonly practiced to reduce disease infection but in dry season there may be no need since diseases are less. The leaves are wrapped in bundles with plantain leaves or loosely covered with old jute sacks and sparingly sprinkled with water for freshness. When it is not possible to bring fresh leaves to the market, the leaves may be blanched and then dried. The dry leaves are in demand during the dry season when fresh leaves are scarce. Fruits are harvested and stored in an open shade for 1- 2.5 months. The nutritional valve, it uses and health benefits are discussed.

PLASMA PROTEIN PROFILE IN CHILDREN WITH HbAS AND HbSS IN UGHELLI GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

                                       *Emojevwe Victor and Igweh J. C

Department of Physiology

Delta State University, Abraka, Delta state Nigeria

E-mail: emojevwevictor@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The plasma protein profile in children with HbAA, HbAS and HbSS was studied in this research with the view of knowing the group with higher plasma protein values and ascertaining the effects of crises in plasma protein level in sickle cell condition. In all 300 children between the ages of 5 to 15 were recruited from the sickle cell clinic of the  Marierie Memorial Government Hospital, Ughelli, Delta state. The children were studied in seven groups. Plasma total protein was determined by the Biuret method using an Olympus AU400 automated chemistry analyzer while Plasma albumin, globulin, and fibrinogen determination were performed manually using a Sebia K20 electrophoresis chamber with Cellogel strips in Tris-hippurate buffer, pH 8.8 according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The results from this study revealed that the HbSS subjects had significantly higher fibrinogen levels (0.71±0.82) than the HbAS subjects (0.42±0.56) and healthy HbAA subjects (0.30±0.57). The mean globulin in the homozygous (HbSS) was significantly greater than the mean values found in normal children (P< 0.05). Also, a statistically significant higher mean globulin value was observed in HbAS (P< 0.05). The total protein level was also found to be higher in HbSS when compared with that of the control (HbAA) and the carriers (HbSS) at P<0.05. The results also showed that when HbSS subjects were in crisis, it was only the fibrinogen level that increased statistically significantly (P<0.05). It was concluded from this study that individuals with HbSS and HbAS have higher total plasma protein and globulin and individuals with HbSS have higher fibrinogen concentration than normal healthy individuals with HbAA of same age grade. Crisis was also said to be associated with higher fibrinogen values in HbSS individuals but does not influence the values of globulin, albumin and total plasma protein hence regular estimation of the plasma fibrinogen levels in individuals with sickle cell condition might be a useful indicator of hyper coagulability and early determination of plasma fibrinogen will help in diagnosing hyperfibrinogenaemia earlier and may help to prevent vaso-occlusive crises. It was therefore recommended that the causes of these differences observed be ascertained in further studies.

SURVEY OF FISHERIES RESOURCES OF NGURU LAKE

*Abubakar, M. M. and Auta, J.

*Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University Dutse

Department of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

E-mail: mmabubakar2005@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study was aimed at estimating the fisheries potential of the lake with a view to optimum exploitation of the lakes resources.The data on the fisheries of Nguru Lake was studied over a period of one year. Fish samples were collected monthly from the five sampling stations using gill nets of various mesh sizes, with the assistance of the fishermen. A total of twenty four fish species belonging to 13 families were identified. The family Cichlidae dominated the fish fauna with 64%. The families Claridae and Osteogossidae constituted 6% each, while the family Malapteruridae was the least with only 0.17%. The mean weight of fish caught per day was 540.17kg, from three landing sites, with 14 fishermen operating averagely from each site. The study also revealed that the lake was not over-fished.