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.

From whole blood to component therapy: the economic, supply/demand need for implementation of component therapy in sub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract: Blood may be transfused as whole blood or as one of its components. Because patients seldom require all of the components of whole blood, it makes sense to transfuse only that portion needed by the patient for a specific condition or disease. This treatment, known as "blood component therapy", allows several patients to benefit from one unit of donated whole blood. Blood components include red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate. A considerable literature has accumulated over the past decade indicating that leukocytes present in allogeneic cellular blood components, intended for transfusion, are associated with adverse effects to the recipient. These include the development of febrile transfusion reactions, graft-versus-host disease, alloimmunization to leukocyte antigens, and the immunomodulatory effects that might influence the prognosis of patients with a malignancy. Moreover, it has become evident that such leukocytes may be the vector of infectious agents such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), Human T-Lymphotrophic Virus 1/11 (HTLV-I/II), and Epstein Barr (EBV) as well as other viruses. Effective stewardship of blood ensuring that several patients potentially benefit from components derived from one unit of donated whole blood is important for economic, supply/demand reasons and to protect the national inventory at times of national blood shortage. Blood safety in developing countries can be improved by more appropriate use of blood components rather than whole blood transfusion and the provision of alternatives such as oral and intravenous iron, erythropoietin, saline and colloids. This will facilitate the optimal use of the limited blood supply. Political will and open-mindedness to innovative ways to improve supply, appropriateness, optimal use and safety of blood from all types of donors are essential to promote more evidence-based approaches to blood transfusion practice in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nutritional composition of five new Nigerian Musa hybrid cultivars: implications for adoption in human nutrition

Abstract: Introduction. A study was carried out to investigate the proximate and mineral com- position of plantain and banana fruits of new hybrids selected in Nigeria, compared with those of a local cultivar, Agbagba. Our aim was to assess their nutritional value and to enhance the adoption and utilization potential of these new selected hybrids. Materials and methods. Five new Musa hybrids developed at the IITA, Nigeria, were investigated. Proximate values of fat, carbohydrate and protein of the samples were determined and the energy content of each sample was calcula- ted. Fruit mineral analysis was performed for each cultivar studied. The data were statistically ana- lyzed. Results and discussion. All the new hybrids were higher than the local cultivar Agbagba in protein and crude fiber content. Conversely, Agbagba fruit had the highest level of carbohydrate. A significant difference was observed between the PITA 14 hybrid and the rest of the cultivars in total energy and fat content. Both the BITA 3 and PITA 26 hybrids contained the highest levels of ash. The PITA 17 hybrid contained the highest moisture. The PITA 14 and PITA 24 hybrids were diffe- rent from all other cultivars in phosphorus and copper contents. The calcium concentration in the PITA 14 and PITA 17 hybrids differed regarding the rest of the cultivars assessed. Also, the levels of potassium and manganese found in all the hybrids were different from those obtained in Agbagba, while the latter differed from all the hybrids in magnesium and sodium levels. Conclusion. The new Musa hybrids assessed are superior to the Agbagba plantain in nutritional value, which could enhance the adoption and utilization potential of these new hybrids by the local population.

Sediment Quality Status of Two Creeks in the Upper Bonny Estuary, Niger Delta, in Relation to Urban/Industrial Activities

Abstract: Two creeks (Azuabie and Obufe) in the upper Bonny Estuary, Nigeria were studied to determine how industrial and other anthropogenic activities have influenced their relative sediment qualities. Total organic carbon, total hydrocarbons, zinc, lead, cadmium and iron were significantly higher in the Azuabie creek, while phosphate, nitrate, copper and chromium did not show significant differences between the two creeks. Principal component analysis (PCA) ordinations discriminated all locations in the Obufe creek into a cluster along with the less-contaminated sites in the Azuabie creek. The other two sites in the Azuabie creek clustered separately, showing that they were contamination hot-spots.

Daily sperm production of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) as determined by quantitative testicular histology and homogenate methods.

Abstract: The daily spermatozoa production was studied in 20 each of sexually matured barred Plymouth Rock and Nigerian indigenous breeds of domestic fowl using both the histometric and testicular homogenate methods. The exotic cocks were significantly (p < 0.01) heavier than the locals with the respective values of 2.11 +/- 0.05 and 1.58 +/- 0.02 kg. The exotic also had larger (p < 0.01) gross testicular weight (21.58 +/- 1.46 vs. 12.56 +/- 0.91 g), paired testicular parenchymal weight (20.47 +/- 0.40 vs. 11.96 +/- 0.82 g) and paired tunica albuginea (1.11 +/- 0.18 vs. 0.60 +/- 0.11 g). The total length and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules were also significantly influenced (p < 0.01) by breed. The volume percent occupied by seminiferous tubules though higher in the exotic birds showed no statistical significance. Daily sperm production obtained from histometric method was highly influenced by breed with 2.41 +/- 1.17 x 10(9) and 0.76 +/- 0.71 x 10(9) for exotic and local cocks, respectively. The daily sperm productions calculated on the basis of homogenization-resistant spermatids were 1.85 +/- 0.22 for exotic and 0.73 +/- 0.11 for locals. Although, the difference in DSP values based on both methods was not statistically significant there was a 23.24 and 3.90% loss in exotic and local birds respectively with the use of homogenization method. On the whole, the exotic cocks were twice as efficient in sperm production as the local birds.