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.

Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom ( Pleurotus Tuber-regium ) on Supplemented Corncob with Rice Bran Substrate.

Abstract: This study evaluated the effect of supplementary corncob substrate with rice bran on yield of Pleurotus tuber-regium . 30% supplementation gave the best yield in terms of number of fruit bodies produced and weight of fruit bodies produced as 54g. 5 fruit bodies were produced each on 20% and 10% supplementation respectively. The least number of fruit bodies was produced (diameter of pileus, colour, and time of primordial appearance) on 0% supplementation. On the other parameters considered, there was no significant difference observed among the treatments. Further study in the effect of substrate supplementation on sustained yield of edible mushrooms in various harvests with regards to commercial production is recommended.

A new device for assessing Riptortus dentipes populations on cowpea

Abstract: A new type of conical trap, with the inside coated with adhesive, was efficient and gave absolute, non-destructive estimates of the Riptortus dentipes population, especially when used with shaking boards. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd

New media for the isolation ofDermatophilus congolensis

Abstract: Two inhibition media comprising combinations of colistin methanesulphonate, nalidixic acid, nystatin and malachite green were developed for the isolation of Dermatophilus congolensis. Dermatophilosis is seasonally prevalent in Nigeria in the rainy months of April to November. The slow growth of D. congolensis the causal organism allows faster proliferating organisms to mask their presence on culture media thereby making it very difficult to isolate. Ahu-Samra and Walton (1977) successfully developed a standard inhibition medium by incorporating 1,000 iu/ml of polymyxin B sulphate into brain heart infusion agar. Earlier fruitful attempts, though not as good, were reported by Abu-Samra, Imbabi and Mahgoub (1970) and Cruz (1974). The possibility of developing superior inhibition media was the main purpose of the experiments described here. The agents were added into agar in the following two combinations: 1. Nalidixic acid--10/~g/ml, malachite green---0-25#g/ml and nysta t in~ 200 i#/ml. 2. Colistin methanesulphonate--100i#/ml, nalidixic acid---10#g/ml and nystatin--200 i# /ml. Brain heart infusion (BHI) broth cultures of D. congolensis which had been incubated for 48 hours were machine agitated, to give a uniform suspension, and 10-fold serial dilutions from 10 -1 to 10 -1°, prepared in normal saline. The diluted broth cultures were subcultured onto BHI agar plates and the number of colonies present after 24, 48 and 72 hour incubation counted. One gram of soil sample was suspended in 10 ml of sterile water from which 10-fold dilutions were prepared. One ml from each of the D. congolensis broth dilutions after thorough agitaton was mixed with 9 ml of 10 -s soil dilution. A drop from each mixture of D. congolensis and soil suspension (10 -5 soil dilution + D. congolensis broth dilutions) was cultured in quintuplets on plates containing each of the two inhibition media under test. The plate count of D. congolensis was 3,500,000 colony forming units (cfu)/ml of broth culture diluted 10-L Plate cultures of D. congolensis in soil suspensions showed the following patterns of inhibitions and isolations in the two media used: In medium No. 1 there were numerous colonies of D. congolensis on plates inoculated with broth cultures at dilutions of 10 -~ and 10 -2 with no contaminants present. In medium No. 2 there was one cfu of soil organisms on one plate after 24 hours and two cfu of soil organisms on another plate after 48 hours. There were many cfu of D. congolensis on plates inoculated with 10 t and 10 -2 broth dilutions but only one cfu was apparent after 48 hours on plates inoculated with 10 -4 dilution of broth culture. The above observations indicated that the two media were capable of totally or sufficiently suppressing the growth of soil contaminants while allowing D. congolensis to grow in isolated colonies, from which it could be subcultured in pure forms onto fresh plates.

Evaluation of Ocular Anterior Chamber Depth and Body Mass Index in Normal Blacks in a Nigerian City

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate ocular anterior chamber depth (ACD) and body mass index (BMI) in a normal population in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (LGA), with a view to determine formulae in estimating intraocular lens power for cataract surgeries and possible association with angle closure glaucoma and other ocular pathological conditions. Methods: This is a multi-stage study with inclusion criteria of Visual Acuity > 6/18, age greater than 18 years with no history of past ocular surgeries or trauma. Data obtained through a structured proforma included age, sex, tribe, occupation and level of education. Body Mass Index (BMI) was measured using a standard height and weight automated scale (SECA 769,220). Comprehensive ocular examination done and Anterior Chamber Depth (ACD) measured using Amplitude (A) scan ultrasonography (SONOMED PACSCAN 300AP). Data was analyzed using SPSS (Version 17), and p value was set at ≤ 0.05. Results: Four hundred and sixty six (466) subjects participated in the study made up of two hundred and twelve (212) males (45.5%) and two hundred and fifty four (254) females (54.5%) with M: F ratio of 1:1.2. The age range was 18-92 years and mean age of the subjects studied 43.0±14.2 years. Findings revealed mean ACD and Body Mass Index to be 3.1±0.5 mm and 26.9±6.2 kg/m2 respectively. The mean ACD was greater in males than females. There was a statistically significant relationship between age and ACD. Obesity was found to be higher in females (n=97; 78.2%) compared to the males among those with BMI >30Kg/m2 and this was found to be statistically significant (p=0.0001). A larger proportion of subjects with normal BMI and overweight BMI 25-29.5 Kg/m2 were males. There was a statistically significant difference in the ACD values between genders among those overweight (BMI 25- 29.5 Kg/m2) and the obese (BMI >30 Kg/m2). Conclusion: There was a statistically significant difference in the ACD values between genders among those overweight.