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.

Incidence and biotyping of Aeromonas species from the environment.

Abstract: A survey was carried out to establish the incidence rate of Aeromonas species in various environmental samples with a view to ascertaining their reservoirs and distinguishing the biotypes. High rates of isolation were obtained from snails and water. This indicates that these samples are likely reservoirs and therefore constitute high sources of human infection. Low incidence rates were realised from poultry, cattle and humans, thus suggesting that these samples may be transient hosts. Two species of Aeromonas were isolated: A. sobria, and A. hydrophila which was further split into two biotypes, viz A. hydrophila subspecies hydrophila and A. hydrophila subspecies anaerogenes. All were involved with infections in humans.

Dose-related Increased Binding of Nickel to Chromatin Proteins; and Changes to DNA Concentration in the Liver of Guinea Pigs Treated with Nigerian Light Crude Oil

Abstract: The alteration in nuclear DNA concentration and the concomitant binding of xenobiotics (alkylating agents, heavy metals, etc.) to chromatin constituents may adversely affect gene structure and/or function, and thus initiate carcinogenesis. Binding of nickel to chromatin DNA has been reported to cause DNA damage (cross-links, single-strand breaks), and although many soluble nickel compounds and complexes have been shown to bind to chromatin, porphyrin-complexed nickel (PCN) in crude oils has not been studied. We have determined the doserelated increases in total and chromatin DNA concentrations, and the differential distribution (binding) of PCN (crude oil nickel-CON) to chromatin constituents in livers of adult male guinea pigs treated with 1.25, 2.50 and 5.0 ml/kg bw Nigerian Bonny light crude oil (BLCO) by intraperitoneal injection. The results showed large BLCO-induced increases in total DNA concentrations of 424%, 632% and 436% at 1.25, 2.50 and 5.0 ml/kg bw BLCO respectively over the untreated controls; while it induced equally large increases in chromatin DNA concentrations of 585% and 200% at 2.50 and 5.0 ml/kg bw respectively. In both cases, maximum increases occurred at 2.50 ml/kg bw BLCO. The distribution of PCN in BLCO between chromatin DNA and chromatin proteins (histones and non-histones) showed that at 2.50 and 5.0 ml/kg bw BLCO, nickel content in chromatin DNA reduced by 25% and 12.5% respectively over the controls; while its content in chromatin proteins also reduced by 26%; but increased by 166% at 2.50 and 5.0 ml/kg bw BLCO, respectively over the untreated controls. However, in intra-chromatin comparison, 38.8% more PCN bound to chromatin DNA than to chromatin proteins at 2.50 ml/kg bw; but at 5.0 ml/kg bw BLCO, 90.4% more PCN bound to chromatin proteins than to chromatin DNA. These results show a greater affinity of PCN in BLCO for chromatin proteins over chromatin DNA which may have played a role in the increased DNA concentrations. Also, the results may add critical information to understanding the reactions of porphyrin-complexed nickel in crude oils with chromatin since this has not been studied before. Furthermore, the probable carcinogenicity of BLCO may be implied.

Driving Nigerian SMEs Venture Capital Transformational Financing Super-Highway: Focus on the Nigerian Economy

Abstract: The fact that a business started small is not an absolute transcendental sentence to perpetual littleness & ordinariness. This conviction set the stage for the conduct of this study. The prime task was to examine the transformational financing window of venture capital (VC) and its instrumentality in driving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to the higher heights of greatness and largeness. The key perspectives of VC examined were equity finance, management support, and technical support. A total of 120 copies of questionnaire 120 were administered on SME focal officials (60 each for VC-backed and non-VC-backed) in various parts of the Nigerian nation. The ensuing inferential statistical results established that the VC-financed SMEs significantly out-performed their non-VC-financed counterparts in critical ways. Specifically, management support prevailed as the most critical driver of SME development and transformation. Essentially, it is imperative to provide robust incentives for VC investment in SMEs. Greater participation of private sector stakeholders will meaningfully help to actualize and optimize the recent industrialization and commercialization sensitization regime. The Nigerian nation and allied developing economies will ultimately be the best for it.

Formulation, sensory evaluation, proximate composition and storage stability of cassava strips produced from the composite flour of cassava and cowpea.

Abstract: The study developed an acceptable formula for the production of cassava strips (a deep fried product) using composite flour of cassava/cowpea at four different levels of cowpea substitutions (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30). Sensory properties, proximate composition, and shelf life at ambient temperature were determined. Proximate composition, shelf life, and microbial analysis were further done on the most preferred sample (80:20) and the control (100:0). Results showed a significant difference between the tested sample and the control, except in their moisture (4.1%-4.2%) and fiber (5.0%) contents which were similar. Protein content increased from 0.9% to 2.6%, fat 24.6% to 28.5%, carbohydrate 59.7% to 61.1%, and ash 1.8% to 2.5% in both control and most preferred sample. Results showed no changes in their peroxide value (2.4 mEq/kg), moisture content (4.1%), and bacterial count of 0 × 102 CFU/g at ambient storage temperature for 4 weeks. The addition of cowpea flour increased the nutritional quality of the cassava strips.

Lipids of Arthrobacter siderocapsulatus

Abstract: E.N. AMADI AND G. ALDERSON. 1992. The results of lipid studies confirm that Arthrobacter siderocapsulatus is not a member of the genus Arthrobacter. Further studies are required to determine the taxonomic status of these Gram-negative bacteria.