Rivers State University of Science and Technology

About: Rivers State University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Threatened species. The organization has 1826 authors who have published 1833 publications receiving 15183 citations.

Inter-seasonal and inter-habitat variations in the diet of the African fire skink, Lygosoma fernandi, from southern Nigeria

Abstract: The inter-habitat and inter-seasonal variations in the taxonomic diet composition of the African fire skink, Lygosoma fernandi, one of the largest Scincidae of the Afrotropical regions, were studied by analysis of excrements collected from live individuals that were captured in some areas of the Niger Delta region, southern Nigeria. 22 prey types, mostly arthropods, were found in the diet of this species, with significant differences in prey composition between seasons. Isopoda and Coleoptera dominated in the dietary samples, with very few prey types exclusive of one habitat type and/or season (e.g. Formicidae in dry forest in both seasons and lizards in swamp forest in wet season). Overall, no difference between forest types and seasons was found as for diversity and evenness indices except for that prey diversity was higher in feces collected in the dry forest in dry season, whereas dominance and evenness did not show any significant variation across forest types.

Storage Stability of Probiotic Soy Yoghurts with Enzyme Hydrolyzed African Breadfruit and Rice Additives

Abstract: Aims: This study investigated the effect of culture type and storage time on pH, titratable acidity (%Lactic acid), viscosity and syneresis, probiotic viability and sensory properties of probiotic soy yoghurts with enzyme hydrolyzed African bread fruit (HABF) and rice syrup. Methodology: Three sets of Soy-HABF Yoghurt were formulated by supplementing soymilk with 4% HABF and the addition of enzyme hydrolyzed rice syrup. The formulations were inoculated separately with Bifidiobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophillus as monoand co-cultures and fermented at 42 °C for 8 h. Using standard methods, the samples were analyzed after fermentation representing day 1 and on the 5 th , 10 th , 15 th and 20 th days of storage at 40 C. Results: Culture type and the storage time had significant (P≤0.05) effect on physicochemical, probiotic count and sensory properties of the probiotic soy-HABF yoghurt. pH decreased Original Research Article Barber et al.; EJNFS, 13(2): 110-121, 2021; Article no.EJNFS.65361 111 significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with storage time from 4.36 4.06, 4.30 – 3.97 and 4.35 4.26 for B, L and BL (B. bifidum, L. acidophilus and the co-culture of B. bifidum, and L. acidophilus fermented samples). L. acidophilus had highest pH decrease. Titratable acidity, viscosity and syneresis index increased significantly (P≤0.05) with increase in storage time. Probiotic counts varied from 7.726.54 and 8.56 – 7.70 Log CFU/ml for B. bifidum and L. acidophilus respectively in the mono-culture samples B and L and from 7.66 – 5.65 and 7.90 – 6.57 Log CFU/ml for B.bifidum and L. acidophilus in sample BL. Assessors’ degree of likeness for the aroma, appearance, taste and texture of the probiotic soy-HABF yoghurt varied from neither like nor dislike to moderate likeness. The overall acceptability indicated that the L. acidophilus fermented product (sample L) was more acceptable to the assessors within the first 5 days of storage. Conclusion: This study have shown that B.bifidum and L.acidophillus retained a viability of > log 6 within 15 days of storage. The physicochemical and sensory characteristics of soy/HABF yoghurt were also at optimum within the first 5 days at 40 C.

Evaluation of Anti-diabetic, Hepatoprotective and Antilipidemic Potentials of Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) on Albino Rats

Abstract: Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic, hepatorenoprotective and antilipidemic potentials of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) in albino rats. Study Design: This study is a non-randomized experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between September, 2019 and December, 2019. Methodology: Thirty-five male Wister rats with weight between 145 to 150 g were randomly selected into seven groups of five rats each. The first group served as Negative control (group 1). The second group was the positive control (Diabetic group). The remaining five groups being the treatment groups (3-7). Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally with 65 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ) single dose. Group 3 Diabetic group treated with metformin (100 mg/kg); Group 4 Diabetic group treated with low dose clove (250 mg/kg). Group 5 Diabetic group treated with low dose clove and metformin; Group 6 Diabetic group treated with high dose clove (750 mg/kg), while Group 7 were Diabetic group treated with high dose clove (750 mg/kg) and metformin for six weeks. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture in appropriate EDTA, heparinized and sterile bottles Original Research Article Sammy et al.; JOCAMR, 11(1): 38-50, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.61685 39 for standard laboratory investigations of lipid profile, glucose, liver enzymes, urea and creatinine. Plasma lipid profile, liver enzymes, urea and creatinine were determined using enzymatic end point method under standard operating procedures. Statistical analysis was done using Graph Pad Prism Version 5.03 and p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Results revealed that the STZ-induced diabetic group exhibited highly significant increase in activity of liver enzymes AST, ALT and ALP, increase in the levels of urea, creatinine, glucose and most lipid profile parameters as compared to the negative control group (p<0.001). Histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissues of diabetic rats indicated slight changes. However, their changes were overcame by clove treatment and the majority of the cells tend to be normal. Low dose clove group 5 (250 mg/kg) with metformin decreased the levels of the analytes most when compared to the levels of the positive control group. For glucose, group 5 gave a mean glucose level of 4.40 ± 1.08 mmo/l, significantly lower than the positive control group 39.67 ± 0.67, ALT group 5 gave a mean ALT level of 56.00 ± 7.11, which was significantly lower than the positive control group 205.70 ± 14.79, for urea group 5 gave a mean urea level of 4.25 ± 0.77 which was significantly lower the control group 23.80 ± 3.56 at p < 0.001, thereby yielding a better treatment result. Conclusion: In conclusion, low dose clove supplementation with metformin could be excellent adjuvant support in the therapy of diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Analytical Solution of a Non-isothermal Flow in Cylindrical Geometry

Abstract: DOI: 10.9734/ARJOM/2021/v17i330283 Editor(s): (1) Danilo Costarelli, University of Perugia,Italy. Reviewers: (1) Atul Kumar Ray, Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER), India. (2) Juan Luis Mata-Machuca, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/66823 Received 05 February 2021 Accepted 11 April 2021 Published 22 May 2021 __________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract

ABO, Rhesus Blood Groups and Haemoglobin Variants Distribution among Individuals with Helicobacter pylori in Igwuruta-Ali, Rivers State

Abstract: Aims: The aim of the study is to determine the distribution of ABO & Rhesus blood groups, and haemoglobin variants among individuals in Igwuruta-Ali with Helicobacter pylori infection. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional, field-based study carried out in Igwuruta-Ali, Ikwerre Local Government Area, in Rivers State. Place and Duration of Study: All samples were analyzed at the Haematology Laboratory, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between July and September, 2018. Methodology: Qualitative determination of Helicobacter pylori antigens using serological method. Qualitative determination of ABO and Rhesus blood group using tube method. Qualitative determination of haemoglobin genotype using electrophoretic method (cellulose acetate method). Blood samples were collected randomly based on convenient sampling from a total of 120 volunteers (age 10 to 70 years). Results: A total of 103 subjects were sero-positive for Helicobacter pylori (37 males and 66 females; 35.9% and 64.1% respectively), while 17 subjects were sero-negative (8 males and 9 Original Research Article Christian et al.; JAMMR, 28(10): 1-8, 2018; Article no.JAMMR.46614 2 females; 47.1% and 52.9% respectively. ABO blood group distribution among sero-positive individuals were A(22.3%), B(13.6%), AB(8.7%), O(55.3%). The Rhesus blood group distributions in sero-positive individuals were Rhesus D positive (30.8%) and Rhesus D negative (6.67%); Seropositivity for Helicobacter pylori was increased in females than in males and subjects with ABO blood group O were more prone to Helicobacter pylori than in other groups. The distribution of haemoglobin variants among sero-positive subjects were AA(71.84%), AS(22.33%), SS(5.83%). Conclusion: The study reveals that O blood group individuals are more susceptible to Helicobacter pylori infection and they have more cellular and immunological response to it (expressed by sero-positivity) than other ABO blood groups (group B in particular), while no strong relationship exist between Rhesus D positive and Rhesus D negative subjects, and also no clear relationship based on haemoglobin genotype. Based on the fact that 55.3% of the study population that tested positive for Helicobacter pylori was O blood group individuals, O blood group is therefore associated with Helicobacter pylori. Also, the study revealed that females were more prone to Helicobacter pylori infection.