Showing papers by "University of Nigeria, Nsukka published in 1992"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated whether the time given people to think about their responses to CVM valuation questions influences their answers and found that respondents who were allowed time to evaluate the proposed water system bid significantly less than those who did not have that time.
236 citations
TL;DR: The aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina, Del, (Compositae) produced a dose‐related fall in blood sugar and may involve a mechanism not related to insulin secretion.
Abstract: The aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina, Del, (Compositae) given i.p. produced a dose-related fall in blood sugar. A dose of 80 mg/kg body weight of adult rabbit produced a maximum lowering of blood sugar in both fasted normal and alloxanized rabbits. The fasting blood sugar in normoglycaemic rabbits was reduced from 96 mg% to 48 mg% in 4 h. In alloxanized rabbits, the blood sugar was reduced from the mean value of 520 mg% to 300 mg% in 8 h. The hypoglycaemic effects were compared with those of tolbutamide. Acute toxicity studies of the extract in mice gave LD50 value of 1122 mg/kg body weight when given i.p. The blood sugar lowering effect of Vernonia amygdalina extract may involve a mechanism not related to insulin secretion.
171 citations
TL;DR: The proximate, mineral and amino acid composition of various cultivars of three legumes consumed in Nigeria were compared and it showed that, on average, apart from protein and ash, the proximate compositions of all the legumes were similar.
83 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of addition of organic amendments on the physical properties of a degraded Ultisol were compared with those of high rates of inorganic fertilizer, and the order of improvements in the measured physical properties was RS > RS + F 1 > PM > F 1 ⩾ F 2 > C.
63 citations
TL;DR: Five cultivars of bambara groundnut were selected on which to study the effects of germination and fermentation on their proximate composition, and the cultivar that had the highest protein content was chosen to prepare unfermented and fermented milk.
Abstract: Five cultivars of bambara groundnut were selected on which to study the effects of germination and fermentation on their proximate composition. The cultivar that had the highest protein content was chosen to prepare unfermented and fermented milk. Standard assay techniques were adopted to determine the parameters selected for use. Germination caused a decrease in the protein, carbohydrate and starch; it increased sugar content, and had varied effects on the lipids contents of the dry samples. The anti-nutritional factor-tannin concentration was decreased. Germination and fermentation had varied effects on the nutrient compositions of the milk. Compared to the control, germination had the same effect as in the seeds. Fermentation further decreased some of the nitrogenous constituents, sugar and starch content of the milk and much more drastically the tannin content. Hydrolysis and other metabolic changes freed the nutrients from their bound forms while decreasing the quantity, but increasing the quality and availability of the nutrients.
61 citations
TL;DR: Investigations on the immunology of disease and the role of proteases and lipases in the pathogenesis of infection is an important area of further research.
Abstract: Entomophthoromycosis due to Conidiobolus coronatus is a granulomatous infection characterized by lesions that originate in the inferior turbinate, spread through ostia and foramina to involve the facial and subcutaneous tissues and paranasal sinuses. The majority of the cases have been described from areas of tropical rainforest in West Africa, agricultural and outdoor workers (aged 20-60 years) being the ones most frequently affected. The fungus is common in soil and decaying vegetation. Infection probably occurs by implantation of the spores of the fungus in nasal mucosa. C. incongruus is a rare agent of the disease, so far known only from two cases with lesions involving the pericardium, mediastinum, lungs, liver, oesophagus and jejunum. C. coronatus is known to cause a clinically similar disease in horses, mules, a dolphin and a chimpanzee. A characteristic histological feature is the presence of thin-walled, broad, often septate hyphae or hyphal fragments with a thick eosinophilic sheath, frequently phagocytosed within giant cells. The fungus is known to produce in vitro several enzymes, e.g., elastase, esterase, collagenase and lipase, which have a possible role in pathogenicity. A concentrated brain heart infusion culture filtrate antigen is useful for immunodiagnosis. Several drugs e.g., potassium iodide, cotrimoxazole, amphotericin B, ketoconazole and itraconazole have been tried with varying success. Investigations on the immunology of disease and the role of proteases and lipases in the pathogenesis of infection is an important area of further research.
58 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple predictive equation for the dispersion number was derived from the solution of a second order steady state partial differential equation involving a diffusivity coefficient, which was evaluated as a function of aspect ratio with variable power and friction factor using multiple and linear regression analyses.
53 citations
TL;DR: The comparative effectiveness of rice shavings, poultry manure and inorganic fertilizers in restorating the productivity of an eroded, low-fertility Ultisol in southeastern Nigeria was investigated over three cropping seasons as mentioned in this paper.
43 citations
TL;DR: Improvement in socioeconomic conditions of the populace, health education and widespread practice of family planning are suggested to reduce the incidence of grandmultiparity.
42 citations
TL;DR: Nigerian soups/sauces have watery or thick consistencies depending on their composition A variety of condiments/ingredients are used in Southern Nigeria to modify the consistency of soups and also to add flavour They range from starchy roots/tubers, legumes, oil seeds and nuts to fungi as mentioned in this paper.
38 citations
TL;DR: A retrospective analysis of 78 patients who presented with acquired vaginal stenosis between January 1980 and December 1989 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu found that ritual circumcision was a leading cause of this condition, followed by birth injuries and postoperative injuries.
TL;DR: The Achi community of south-east Nigeria was given mass ivermectin therapy to control endemic onchocerciasis, with results that indicated the incidence of adverse events was greater in villages with a high load of microfilarial infection.
Abstract: The Achi community of south-east Nigeria was given mass ivermectin therapy to control endemic onchocerciasis. 7556 subjects (75.6% of those eligible) were dosed. 992 patients (13.1%) complained of adverse effects, mostly within one week of dosing. Adverse events were mainly of the Mazzotti type. Exacerbation of pruritus (71.2%), oedema (47.4%), headache (46.4%), and worsening of rash (24.4%) were the most common. In 962 subjects (97%), adverse events were mild and did not prevent work. Two patients suffered severe sustained postural hypotension. The incidence of adverse events was greater in villages with a high load of microfilarial infection.
TL;DR: A new method of treating Fournier's gangrene is described in 13 patients and considerable gain in man-hours and expense was recorded when compared with the old method of treatment with antibiotics and wound debridement.
Abstract: Summary— A new method of treating Fournier's gangrene is described in 13 patients. There was no mortality and the average hospital stay was 10 days. Considerable gain in man-hours and expense was recorded when compared with the old method of treatment with antibiotics and wound debridement.
01 Jan 1992
TL;DR: Findings suggest that the aqueous extract of the leaves of A. cathartica might elicit a purgative effect by increasing intestinal motility partly via muscarinic receptor activation.
Abstract: An aqueous extract of the leaves of Allamanda cathartica was screened for gastrointestinal effects. The extract induced dose-related purgation in mice, as judged by an increased number of wet feces...
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The authors suggest that previously encountered cervical spine trauma among young stroke cases represent underreporting and that the relationship between young age, grand-multiparity and non-valvular atrial fibrillation be further elucidated.
Abstract: Sixty-seven patients (27.9%) between 16 and 45 years, out of 240 cases of stroke seen over 33 months were further studied with respect to stroke type, aetiological and social factors. The frequency of non-embolic cerebral infarction was 58.2%, cerebral embolism 7.5%; cerebral haemorrhage 17.9%; primary subarachnoid haemorrhage 11.9%. Hypertension was the commonest aetiological factor occurring in 35.8% of the cases. Cervical spine hyperflexion, stenosing carotid arteritis, cocaine ingestion, mitral valve prolapse, non-valvular atrial fibrillation and chorion cancer featured among other less frequent but important factors presenting different diagnostic problems. The frequency of unexplained stroke was under 12%. The authors suggest that previously encountered cervical spine trauma among young stroke cases represent underreporting and that the relationship between young age, grand-multiparity and non-valvular atrial fibrillation be further elucidated.
TL;DR: Research should be intensified on PKC and NADPH oxidase function with the aim of unravelling the molecular mechanism of the depressed immunocompetence, and thence, of formulating appropriate intervention strategies against it.
TL;DR: Decomposition of the leaf litter of Acioa barteri, Centrosema pubescens and Chromolaena odorata was studied in the laboratory using the litterbag technique and carbon dioxide evolution for all three species was significantly greater during the first 4 weeks and thereafter declined steadily.
TL;DR: Electrophoretograms of the samples indicated that cooking/equilibration had no significant effects on the proteins present but smoking led to a slight loss of some of the protein components.
TL;DR: In this article, variations of rainy season rainfall over the Southern, Middle Belt, and Northern regions of Nigeria as well as the country as a whole are examined over a 72-year secular period (1916-1987).
Abstract: Previous work on rainfall variations over Nigeria has concentrated on country-wide averages, which approach has tended to mask the regional contrasts in the country's rainfall. In this paper, variations of rainy season rainfall over the Southern, Middle Belt, and Northern regions of Nigeria as well as the country as a whole are examined over a 72-year secular period (1916–1987). The extent and nature of nonrandom changes, such as fluctuations, trend and persistence, are investigated.
TL;DR: There was retardation of muscle development in the gari-fed dogs and both forms of dietary cyanides, however, had no adverse effect on bone development.
Abstract: Effects of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)-borne organic cyanide and inorganic cyanide in the form of sodium cyanide on bone and muscle development were investigated in eighteen dogs of Nigerian breed. After 16 weeks of stabilization in the laboratory from the time of purchase when the dogs were fed on the same diet, they were randomly assigned to three experimental groups of six dogs each. The control group was fed on rice while the other two groups were fed on either cassava (gari) or rice plus cyanide. The three diets were made isoenergetic and isonitrogenous by varying the quantity of meat incorporated into them. The results obtained after 14 weeks of feeding the respective diets indicated that there was retardation of muscle development in the gari-fed dogs. This may have resulted from gluconeogenesis from muscle protein associated with suppression of production of insulin by the pancreas in this group. The results indicated also that the effects of inorganic dietary cyanides on muscle development were different. Both forms of dietary cyanides, however, had no adverse effect on bone development.
TL;DR: In 1988, a major landslide which required the evacuation of more than 50 families occurred in the little town of Nanka in Anambra State, Nigeria as discussed by the authors, which was called Nanka landslide.
Abstract: In 1988 a major landslide which required the evacuation of more than 50 families occurred in the little town of Nanka in Anambra State, Nigeria.
TL;DR: In this paper, some estimators of the population ratio have been proposed for sampling on two successive occasion These estimators are constructed using ratio, product, difference-cum-ratio and difference-cum-product method of estimation Their performances are compared empirically with the ordinary ratio estimator.
Abstract: Some estimators of the population ratio have been proposed for sampling on two successive occasion These estimators are constructed using ratio, product, difference-cum-ratio and difference-cum-product method of estimation Their performances are compared empirically with the ordinary ratio estimator It is found that, for certain values of the correlation coefficient, the proposed estimators perform better than the ordinary ratio estimator
TL;DR: Certain reactions; namely, hydroxyproline solubilization and protein crosslinking, have different temperature dependencies and opposing effects on pH, as measured by solubility in 3% sodium dodecyl sulphate + 1% β-mercaptoethanol.
TL;DR: In this paper, the attitudes of Western Igbo women to the variables parental and self-selection of mates arranged marriages, payment of bridewealth polygyny woman to woman marriage levirate marriage father to daughter marriage (Idegbe) pre-marital chastity and the influence of religion education and age on these variables are explored.
Abstract: Using participant observation and the results of an interview of 250 women repeated in two other [Nigerian] surveys the attitudes of Western Igbo women to the variables parental and self-selection of mates arranged marriages the payment of bridewealth polygyny woman to woman marriage levirate marriage father to daughter marriage (Idegbe) pre-marital chastity and the influence of religion education and age on these variables are explored. It is found that certain aspects of the Western Igbo marriage system and practice have been modified by Western practice while others are now disapproved of and can be assumed to be in decline. The central core of the marriage system and practice has however proved stable and remained virtually unchanged and great stock is still laid on affinal relationship. (SUMMARY IN FRE AND SPA) (EXCERPT)
TL;DR: Rice, corn, yam, cassava and potato starch gave high enzyme activities as did soluble starch, while glucose, maltose and glycerol were less effective.
Abstract: Maximum activity of the amylase ofBacillus alvei was attained after growth of the organism on sorghum starch. Rice, corn, yam, cassava and potato starch gave high enzyme activities as did soluble starch. Glucose, maltose and glycerol were less effective. Optimum conditions for both growth and enzyme production were pH 6.8 at 40°C.
TL;DR: Starter cultures consisting ofStreptococcus diacetilactis, Strept.
Abstract: Starter cultures consisting ofStreptococcus diacetilactis, Strept. cremoris, Lactobacillus brevis andSaccharomyces cerevisiae were tested singly and in mixtures for ability to ferment milk to producenono with organoleptically acceptable qualities. Only mixed cultures containing eitherStrept. diacetilactis orStrept. cremoris andL. brevis were suitable. Presence of yeast adversely affected either acid formation or diacetyl production.Nono containingStrept. diacetilactis was acceptable, even in the presence ofSacch. cerevisiae, because of the high diacetyl production. A mixed starter containing two of these organisms,Strept. diacetilactis orStrept. cremoris andL. brevis, is recommended fornono production.Sacch. cerevisiae is not essential.
TL;DR: The pharmacological actions of the crude ethanolic extract and the active fractions of the roots of Combretum dolichopetalum were tested on guinea‐pig isolated ileum and in intact rats and the effects of the extract were compared with cimetidine at each stage of the study.
Abstract: The pharmacological actions of the crude ethanolic extract and the active fractions of the roots of Combretum dolichopetalum were tested on guinea-pig isolated ileum and in intact rats. The extract relaxed guinea-pig ileum in a concentration-dependent manner. Two active fractions (Rf 0.96 and 0.84) which also relaxed the guinea-pig ileum were isolated using column chromatography and TLC respectively. Both the crude extract and the active fractions inhibited the contractions induced by acetylcholine and histamine concentration-dependently in the guinea-pig ileum. The crude extract inhibited ulcers and gastric secretions induced in rats by pyloric ligation together with histamine 100 mg/kg, i.p. (p<0.05). The extract also delayed gastric emptying in rats in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of the extract were compared with cimetidine at each stage of the study.
TL;DR: There was a sharp decrease in the packed cell volume, red blood cell, haemoglobin, total leucocytes, eosinophil, neutrophil and lymphocyte values, but during the period of low parasitaemia there was a slight recovery of the values of totalLeucocytes and lymphocytes although these and the other values showed a continuous decrease during the second wave of Parasitaemia.
Abstract: Four dogs were infected with Trypanosoma brucei (Mkar strain) while another four were used as uninfected controls Two of the dogs showed acute disease and died in the first wave of parasitaemia on days 7 and 8 post infection (PI) while the other two died from the sub-acute disease on days 24 and 28 PI corresponding to the second wave of parasitaemia In the first wave of parasitaemia there was a sharp decrease in the packed cell volume, red blood cell, haemoglobin, total leucocytes, eosinophil, neutrophil and lymphocyte values, but during the period of low parasitaemia there was a slight recovery of the values of total leucocytes and lymphocytes although these and the other values showed a continuous decrease during the second wave of parasitaemia In contrast, there was a consistent monocytosis in both acute and sub-acute diseases The general picture was that of loss of condition, anaemia, leucopenia, monocytosis, ocular impairment, elevated temperature, pulse and respiratory rates, the difference between the acute and sub-acute diseases being in the degree of intensity The degree of anaemia noted and the circulatory disturbances associated with the infection could have caused the death of all the infected dogs
TL;DR: Ovary weight was a better indicator of egg number than either total length or body weight in all species but the reserve was the case in C. buthupogon.
Abstract: The reproductive biology of Clarias ebriensis, C. agboyiensis, C. macromystax and C. buthupogon was investigated over a period of 32 months in Anambra River basin, Nigeria. Immature (stage I) C. ebriensis and C. agboyiensis were recruited into the fishery in October, and in September in C. macromystax and C. buthupogon. The occurrence of mature (stage III) fish all the year round indicated the potential of the Clarias species to breed at any time of the year. C. ebriensis bred from April–September while breeding occurred from May–September in the other species. The clariids matured between their first and second year of life. C. ebriensis females matured earlier than males but the reserve was the case in C. agboyiensis, C. macromystax and C. buthupogon. Ovary weight was a better indicator of egg number than either total length or body weight in all species. Communal spawning is reported for the first time in Clarias species and its significance to survival discussed.