Showing papers by "University of Nigeria, Nsukka published in 1978"
TL;DR: It has been observed that the alcohol content of fermenting palm wine increases in all the studies available up to the first 7 days, when there is usually a decline, attributable to the Acetobacter species.
Abstract: Publisher Summary Palm wine is the collective name for a group of alcoholic beverages produced by the fermentation of the sap of palms. The type of palm whose sap is fermented varies from one part of the world to another and includes the coconut palm, the oil palm, the date palm, and the raphia palm. One of the most striking features of the study of the microbiology of palm wine is the variability in the nature of the lactics encountered. Some studies have followed changes in palm wine for between 4–7 days. It has been observed that the alcohol content of fermenting palm wine increases in all the studies available up to the first 7 days, when there is usually a decline. This decline is attributable to the Acetobacter species, although the presence of these bacteria has been observed as early as 24 hours from the time fermentation is observed. The alcohol content of ripe wine is highest in the duara variety and lowest in the tenera .
90 citations
TL;DR: Investigations on the incidence of fungi in normal healthy eyes of 450 persons comprising 204 adults and 246 children yielded 204 isolates belonging to 21 genera of fungi, indicating that fungi occur in the outer eye generally as transients.
Abstract: The importance of opportunistic fungal pathogens in causing ocular infections is emphasized. A study was conducted over a period of 4 years (1974--1977) to investigate the role of opportunistic fungi in causing mycotic keratitis and to elucidate certain aspects of epidemiology of this disease in Nigeria. Fifty-nine cases of corneal ulcers of suspected mycotic etiology were investigated. Fungal etiology was confirmed in 42 of these cases. The predominant etiological agent was Fusarium solani in 14 cases (33.33%) followed by Penicillium citrinum in 8 cases (19.04%) and Aspergillus fumigatus in 5 cases (11.90%). The yeasts were responsible for only 3 cases (7.14%) i.e. one each caused by Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii. Among the remaining 12 cases, one was caused by F. moniliforme, 3 by A. flavus, 2 each by A. niger, Penicillium expansum and Penicillium sp., and one each by Cladosporium cladosporioides and Cladosporium sp. The clinical features of the cases are briefly described. The incidence of mycotic keratitis in relation to sex, age, occupation, trauma and other factors has been analysed. Corneal trauma appeared to be an important predisposing factor as 27 (67.28%) of the patients gave a history of injuries to the eye. Notably, a large number of patients were farmers and trauma was most often from palm tree leaf, thorn, kernel or other plant objects. Topical application of corticosteroids or broad spectrum antibiotics did not seem to play an important role in the etiology of keratomycosis. Cases were recorded throughout the year although the number of cases was higher in the months of March--May, and November--December than that during the rest of the year. The isolates of the causative agents were studied in detail for their morphological and cultural characters. The isolates of F. solani grew well at 37 degrees C and survived at 40 degrees C for more than 3 weeks. In vitro drug sensitivity tests indicated good antifungal activity of pimaricin and econazole for F. solani, clotrimazole and econazole for Aspergillus fumigatus. A. flavus and Penicillium citrinum, and 5-fluorocytosine for Candida spp. Investigations on the incidence of fungi in normal healthy eyes of 450 persons comprising 204 adults and 246 children yielded 204 isolates belonging to 21 genera of fungi. Cladosporium was most frequent (12.88%) followed by Penicillium (10.22%) and Aspergillus (6.66%). Another important fungus was Fusarium represented by 10 isolates, viz. 4 of F. solani, 2 of F. moniliforme, 1 of F. exysporum, and 3 of Fusarium sp. The yeasts were represented by two isolates each of Candida tropicalis, C. pseudotropicalis, C. krusei, Trichosporon sp and Cryptococcus albidus, and one of Candida guilliermondii. Successive culturing of fungi from normal eyes in a small group indicated that fungi occur in the outer eye generally as transients. The epidemiology of mycotic keratitis has been discussed in relation to the present findings and in comparison with observations of other investigators.
57 citations
TL;DR: Public health measures aimed at reducing the aflatoxin load in high risk foods identified should now be actively considered.
Abstract: Aflatoxin, one of the most widespread of the known carcinogens, is present at a high level in most common foods stored poorly for long periods in Nigeria. It may work synergistically with other carcinogens to produce the high incidence of primary liver cancer seen in young men under the age of 40. In the northern savanna areas cereals, especially sorghum and millets, as well as groundnut products are the high risk foods. In the southern forest areas, dried fish, groundnuts and oil palm products often carry unwholesome quantities of aflatoxin. Public health measures aimed at reducing the aflatoxin load in high risk foods identified should now be actively considered.
47 citations
01 Jan 1978
TL;DR: In this paper, the importance of the involvement of doctors, especially those in the field of public health, in the prevention of road traffic accidents using the methodology which has been successfully employed in the control of communicable diseases is stressed.
Abstract: Analysis of data on road traffic accidents (RTAs) in Nigeria over an eight-year period showed a rising trend. To highlight the importance of RTAs in the country, the number of deaths from RTAs (1967-1974) and from major communicable diseases was reviewed. It was found that there were annually more deaths from RTAs than even the cholera epidemic of 1971. International comparison of the RTA situation in Nigeria with that of industrialized countries (United Kingdom, Sweden and Australia) and developing countries (Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya) showed that Nigeria had by far worse mortality and morbidity rates. The importance of the involvement of doctors, especially those in the field of public health, in the prevention of RTA using the methodology which has been successfully employed in the control of communicable diseases is stressed.
33 citations
TL;DR: There were annually more deaths from RTAs than even the cholera epidemic of 1971 and international comparison of the RTA situation in Nigeria with that of industrialized countries and developing countries showed that Nigeria had by far worse mortality and morbidity rates.
29 citations
TL;DR: A new and sensitive spectrophotometric method for copper has been devised, based on the absorbance at 670 nm, which has some advantages and has been applied for the determination of copper in various soil samples.
25 citations
TL;DR: It is submitted that, although not all the signs of an aneurysm may be present, it should be possible to make a correct preoperative diagnosis of this complication given sufficient awareness of its possibility.
Abstract: A case of false aneurysm of the external carotid artery following impaction of a fish bone in the pharynx is reported. An incorrect preoperative diagnosis led to a near-fatal issue. Reference is made to some other reports of arterial injury following impaction of foreign bodies in the throat. The various factors in the erroneous diagnosis in this case are examined and it is submitted that, although not all the signs of an aneurysm may be present, it should be possible to make a correct preoperative diagnosis of this complication given sufficient awareness of its possibility.
25 citations
01 Sep 1978
22 citations
TL;DR: Cholesterol concentrations decreased with incorporation of garri in the diet, but a saturation point was reached after which garri had no further lowering effect on plasma cholesterol.
21 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the Twin Sisters dunite is represented by a set of large olivine crystals, which were subsequently partially recrystallized and/or mylonitized in the upper mantle.
Abstract: Petrologic study of the Twin Sisters dunite, an alpine-type ultramafic body about 90 km 2 , has led to the establishment of three broad stages in the recrystallization of the body. The first stage is represented by “primary,” now highly strained, large olivine crystals, which were subsequently partly recrystallized and/or mylonitized in the upper mantle. The development of chromite pods and lenses occurred in this first stage. The second stage, separated from the first by deformation, is manifest by the segregation, probably also in the upper mantle, of at least two generations of olivine-bearing orthopyroxenite and clinopyroxenite veins. The third stage is represented by the generation of metamorphic minerals exemplified by the following reactions: enstatite + diopside + H 2 O = forsterite + tremolite; enstatite + H 2 O = talc + forsterite; chromite + forsterite + enstatite + H 2 O = ferritchromite + chlorite. Electron microprobe study of coexisting minerals indicates that olivine, orthopyroxenes, and clinopyroxenes are remarkably homogeneous. Minor but systematic variations in mineral compositions do exist. Olivine in chromite pods and lenses is more forsteritic and contains nearly twice as much NiO than olivine in the main dunite and pyroxenite veins. Chromite compositions show two distinct but parallel trends — one for chromite present in the main dunite and in veins and the other for chromite in pods and lenses. As in olivine, X Mg in chromite pods and lenses is higher than that in chromite from the main dunite. Unlike the trends for the Kilauean chromites, total Fe increases with increasing Cr 2 O 3 content, whereas Al 2 O 3 and MgO decrease. Calcic amphiboles are heterogeneous, and important end members in different samples are pargasite, edenite, and tremolite. Anthophyllite coexists with calciferous amphiboles. Magnesian cummingtonite was also found. A consistent apparent equilibration temperature of 1100 to 1200 °C, derived from the olivine-chromite geothermometer, is 138 to 333 °C higher than that derived from the Ca content of orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene pairs. Temperature of unmixing in pyroxenes is about 115 °C lower than that indicated by their bulk composition.
18 citations
TL;DR: Results of the third taxonomic survey of rust fungi in Nigeria are presented, finding Thirty-one taxa distributed among thirteen genera on thirty-one species of host genera in 15 families are reported.
Abstract: Seventeen taxa distributed among nine genera on seventeen species of host genera in thirteen families are reported. Thirteen taxa are new for Nigeria, including Puccinia ecliptae, Puccinia mesobulb...
TL;DR: The results led to the conclusion that a bivalent formation is much more easily and efficiently accomplished than the formation of a multivalent.
Abstract: Effects of temperature and nitrogen on meiotic chromosome pairing in clones of autotetraploid rye were studied separately. Both experiments revealed that quadrivalents are highly sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. On the other hand, bivalent frequency in the PMC remained stable with temperature changes in spite of a significant decrease in chiasma frequency. With nitrogen stress, however, bivalent frequency in the PMC increased significantly. These results led to the conclusion that a bivalent formation is much more easily and efficiently accomplished than the formation of a multivalent. The underlying reasons for the greater stability of bivalents compared to multivalent configurations are discussed. The limitations of the improvement of meiotic behaviour of autotetraploids by increasing the quadrivalent frequency are also discussed.
TL;DR: The frequency distribution histograms of the percentage acetylsulfamethazine in urine and serum were found to be bimodal, indicating the existence of a genetic polymorphism as observed by earlier workers, and an incidence of the slow acetylator phenotype was observed in the Nigerian population tested.
Abstract: Sulfamethazine (syn. sulfadimidine) is inactivated by conversion to its N-acetyl derivative. Individuals are phenotyped as either “rapid” or “slow” acetylators. We have tested the validity of this theory in a Nigerian population. The frequency distribution histograms of the percentage acetylsulfamethazine in urine and serum were found to be bimodal, indicating the existence of a genetic polymorphism as observed by earlier workers. A plot of the percentage of the drug acetylated in serum against that in urine of the same individual results in a satisfactory separation of the rapid and slow acetylator phenotypes. An incidence of the slow acetylator phenotype of 41% was observed in the Nigerian population tested. How this observation fits into the hypothesis that the slow frequency of the allele increases from the Arctic Circle toward the Equator is discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the radial free fall motion of a charged body in a gravitational field is calculated using a simple approach, which includes the effects of the electrostatic and gravitational field energies of the falling body.
Abstract: THE radial free fall motion of a charged body in a gravitational field is calculated here. A simple approach is presented, which includes the effects of the electrostatic and gravitational field energies of the falling body. The result shows that the acceleration is dependent on both mass and charge of the falling body and that both gravitational and electrostatic field energies gravitate repulsively, indicating that bodies of larger mass or larger charge will fall more slowly than bodies of lesser mass or smaller charge. Thus Einstein's principle of equivalence is not valid, as it requires that all physical systems experience the same acceleration of gravity. The approach also shows the difference between inertial and gravitational mass in a gravitational field.
TL;DR: In this article, the relationship between the diagonal elements of a square matrix and the corresponding elements of the matrix inverse was studied, as well as bounds for the eigenvalues of a matrix.
TL;DR: Results show thatArginine degradation in S. citri is via arginine dihydrolase pathway and that arginin deiminase, and possibly the other two enzymes of this pathway, are inducible.
Abstract: Cell-free extract of California strain of Spiroplasma cirri contained activities of arginine deiminase, ornithine transcarbamylase, and carbamyl phosphokinase but not those of argininosuccinic acid sythetase, argininosuccinase, and arginase. When washed cells suspended in buffer were supplied with arginine, the disappearance of arginine was accompanied by appearance of citrulline, ornithine, and ammonia. Addition of rifampicin or cycloheximide to culture medium at the time of inoculation prevented the appearance of activity of arginine deiminase, the first enzyme of arginine dihydrolase pathway. These results show that arginine degradation in S. citri is via arginine dihydrolase pathway and that arginine deiminase, and possibly the other two enzymes of this pathway, are inducible.
TL;DR: The structure given by Jain et al. for the copper(II) complex of salicylaldehyde hydrazone is confirmed by means of infrared spectroscopy and microanalysis.
TL;DR: An investigation of the carbohydrate energy metabolism of Rhabdias bufonis, the lung-dwelling nematodes parasite of the African toad, indicates that the nematode stores very little glycogen but does utilize oxygen in vitro.
Abstract: An investigation of the carbohydrate energy metabolism of Rhabdias bufonis , the lung-dwelling nematode parasite of the African toad, Bufo regularis , indicates that the nematode stores very little glycogen (0·137 ± 0·003% on a fresh weight basis) but does utilize oxygen in vitro . The intracellular distribution and high levels of activity observed for the enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme and fumarate reductase suggest two alternative pathways of carbohydrate energy metabolism.
TL;DR: In this article, a brushless reluctance-effect machine with a segmented rotor was described, and it was shown that the basic machine is the primitive form of a more general class of transfer-field machines.
Abstract: A new kind of brushless reluctance-effect machine was described recently. This machine differs from conventional reluctance and inductor-type machines in having a segmented rotor. There is also a further difference in that there is a translation (or rotation) of the active air-gap flux in addition to the usual pulsation associated with the other reluctance-effect types. Thus, the machine is partly an electromagnetic machine and partly a magnetic machine. In the basic machine armature reaction effects pose a serious problem. It is shown in this paper how these effects may be eliminated, and it is also shown that the basic machine is the primitive form of a more general class named transfer-field machines. Like other inductor/reluctance types the machine will operate satisfactorily in the synchronous mode, but unlike them it will also operate in the asynchronous and dc modes. Some preliminary experimental results are also reported.
TL;DR: Reduction in particle size of crystalline medicaments incorporated in ointments increased surface area and transfer from the ointment to the substrate, and, therefore, increased the availability of medicament at the Ointment-substrate interface.
TL;DR: In this article, two nonverbal, non paper-and-pencil tests, namely Panga Munthu and Porteus Maze (wooden form), were validated on the basis of age differentiation and school performance.
Abstract: This study aims at validating two non-verbal, non paper-and-pencil tests, namely Panga Munthu and Porteus Maze (wooden form) on the basis of age differentiation and school performance. The subjects included Zambian school children from an intellectually average group aged 7–8 years, 9–10 years and 11–12 years; and also 11–12 years-old bright and dull school children. The results show that the two tests differentiate the three age groups, but not the bright, average and dull 11–12 year old children. The tests in their present form thereby seem to measure some factor which matures with age, but they are not useful at predicting school performance. In Africa, especially rural Africa, intelligent behaviour is not usually measured by acadmic excellence. A study of the relationship between these tests and the African criteria for intelligence is recommended.
TL;DR: Amaryllidaceae alkaloids have been isolated from the bulbs of C. ornatum and Crinum natans and studied by a combination of mass spectral techniques including EI, CI, FD and GLC/EI mass spectrometry as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Amaryllidaceae alkaloids have been isolated from the bulbs of Crinum ornatum and Crinum natans and studied by a combination of mass spectral techniques including EI, CI, FD and GLC/EI mass spectrometry. In addition to the abundant lycorine present in both species three new alkaloids have been obtained in crystalline form from C. ornatum and one new crystalline alkaloid from C. natans. Several other new alkaloids were also shown to be present by GLC/MS and FD/MS. Tentative structures are proposed for the new alkaloids from C. ornatum based on mass and NMR spectral evidence.
TL;DR: In this paper, economic and ecological consequences of these two cropping alternatives in a densely-populated area of eastern Nigeria suggests that a focus on monoculture as a panacea for increasing productivity and food supply is questionable.
Abstract: Although polyculture or interplanting is a dominant production method used by traditional cultivators in the tropics, there has been increasing emphasis on monoculture in agricultural development planning. Analysis of the economic and ecological consequences of these two cropping alternatives in a densely-populated area of eastern Nigeria suggests that a focus on monoculture as a panacea for increasing productivity and food supply is questionable. Polyculture is held to be ecologically superior to monoculture and, in the field area examined, economically more productive as well. Thus further investigation of polycultural approaches to agricultural development would appear to be warranted.
01 Jan 1978
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the needs, potentials and policy issues of irrigation development in Ghana, focusing on the needs and potentials of the Ghanaian population, and propose a policy for irrigation development.
Abstract: (1978). Irrigation development in Ghana: Needs, potentials and policy issues. Oxford Agrarian Studies: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 38-53.
TL;DR: The steady-state contents of lactate and succinate in freeze-clamped parasite tissues were higher than those of other metabolites involved in anaerobic energy metabolism and fumarate reductase activity was enhanced about 4-fold in the presence of ADP and Pi.
Abstract: 1. 1. The endoparasite Strongyluris brevicaudata, found in the rectum of the African lizard Agama agama, contained 9.3–11.7% glycogen. 2. 2. The ratio of carbon dioxide liberated to oxygen consumed by live parasites in vitro was found to be about 0.78. 3. 3. The steady-state contents of lactate and succinate in freeze-clamped parasite tissues were higher than those of other metabolites involved in anaerobic energy metabolism. 4. 4. Extracts of parasite tissues contained high levels of malate dehydrogenase (MDH), NAD-specific malic enzyme (ME) and phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and a low level of pyruvate kinease (PK). The PK/PEPCK ratio was 0.19. 5. 5. MDH, PK and PEPCK activities were found in the cytosol fraction whereas ME, fumarase and fumarate reductase activities were found mainly in the mitochondrial fraction. 6. 6. Fumarate reductase activity was enhanced about 4-fold in the presence of ADP and Pi (2.0 mM).
TL;DR: A new instrument, the Urethroresistance, was devised for the direct recording of urethral resistance during micturition and found to be the most valuable single urodynamic parameter for the diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction.
Abstract: Summary— Synchronous urinary flow and pressure studies were carried out on 51 male subjects of whom 12 were normal subjects and 39 had benign prostatic hypertrophy with varying degrees of bladder outlet obstruction.
A urodynamic scoring system was evolved for accurate and objective diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction. The minimum urethral resistance was found to be the most valuable single urodynamic parameter for the diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction. Hitherto this urodynamic parameter was determined through tedious calculations.
In the course of the present study a new instrument, the Urethroresistance, was devised for the direct recording of urethral resistance during micturition.
TL;DR: A developing conservation ethic must be accompanied by a practicable framework for land use control as mentioned in this paper, which may have serious effects on the nation's economy, since negative changes in landscape quality, lowering both the productivity and aesthetic quality of the natural environment, may have a serious effect on the country's economy.
Abstract: In Nigeria, increasing evidence indicates a deteriorating man-land relationship. Negative changes in landscape quality, lowering both the productivity and aesthetic quality of the natural environment, may have serious effects on the nation's economy. In rural areas, declining soil fertility and soil erosion threaten the ability to produce sufficient food. In urban areas, competition for productive agricultural land has led to its conversion to urban uses. Earth materials required for urban development have been obtained by widespread landscape destruction. Expansion of urban areas into sensitive valley, marsh, and lagoon environments has led to an increased frequency of urban floods and flood damage. A developing conservation ethic must be accompanied by a practicable framework for land use control.