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In this study, the effects of some clinical variables on the survival times of patients with bladder cancer were examined. The effects of these variables on sub-distribution of the failure types were determined using the proportional sub-distribution hazards regression model described in Fine and Gray (1999). Published dataset on 294 bladder cancer patients with four clinical outcomes were analyzed using Cumulative Incidence Function approach. The four outcomes included 184 (64%) patients that experienced recurrence of bladder cancer after receiving chemotherapy treatments. Two patients died of bladder cancer while 27 patients died of other causes and the remaining 76 patients did not experienced any of these three outcomes, and as a result, were considered censored. Among the covariates considered, only the patients’ initial number of tumors and initial size of tumor were incorporated into our analysis due to high proportion of missing observations in others. Results from this work showed that, patients with tumour recurrence have highest risk of dying than those from other causes. Further results showed that, the number of tumor was positively associated with the recurrence of cancer of the bladder. However, the size of the tumor did not demonstrate a significant effect on the patients’ survival time. It can therefore, be concluded that patients with tumor recurrence have low probability of survival from bladder cancer than patients that experienced other events. Above all, number, but not size of tumor could adversely affect the survival time of bladder cancer patients, especially those with tumor recurrence after bladder cancer treatment.

This study focused on the assessment of economic recession coping strategies in Moro local government area in Kwara state, Nigeria. Seventy rural dwellers were randomly selected for this study. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire to elicit information on respondents’ socioeconomics characteristics, the sources of information, the perceived effects of economic recession on rural dwellers, the economic recession coping strategies and the perceived causes of economic recession. Result reveals that the mean age of the rural dwellers 51.8 years, 61.4% were married, 27.1 % had tertiary education and 32.9 % were farmers. The average monthly income of the rural dwellers were 12204.29 Naira (equivalent to 33 US dollars per month). The highest ranked perceived effects of economic recession were increased in prices of goods and services and that economic recession has encourage many rural dwellers to go back to farming (4.60). The coping strategies were working harder (2.73), changing life style (2.51) and borrowing money from family members and friends (2.31). Neglect of agriculture (4.67) and over dependence on crude oil (4.50) were the perceived causes of economic recession by the respondents. The result of PPMC reveals that there was a significant relationship between the coping strategies of the rural dwellers and their educational level (r = 0.604; p=0.049). The study recommends that there is need for government to make palliative measures that will cushion the effects of economic recession on the rural dwellers.

Anthropogenically enhanced naturally occurring radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K present in the tar-sand soil samples were measured by gamma ray spectrometer using a highly shielded NaI (TI) detector with the aim of evaluating the environmental radiological hazards. Mineralogical analysis and characterization was carried out using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The results obtained showed that the average activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K ranges from BDL↔76.00 ± 12.00, BDL↔204.48 ± 13.02 and BDL↔755.6 ± 40.15 Bqkg−1 respectively. Eleven other radiological and hazard parameters were estimated to know the complete hazardous nature of the samples. The values obtained for radionuclides and all its associated radiological and health hazard parameters were all higher than the world's average set by UNSCEAR. Five different minerals were identified and characterized as major and minor minerals. The mean radionuclides activity concentrations, radium equivalent and dose rate of measured radionuclides were compared with other literature values. RESRAD computer code was used to calculate the probability of excess lifetime cancer incurred by dwellers of the tar-sand deposit site, the level of which was determined to be 2.3 × 10−3 ( 23 10000 ) . Spatial distribution of natural radionuclides in the study area was also investigated for radioactivity disequilibrium. Multivariate statistics were applied to establish the effect of mineralogy on radionuclides activity. Therefore, the tar-sand soil samples are considered to pose serious radiological hazard and cancer risk to human through the multiple routes of exposure and significant soil remediation action need to be taken for future use of the soils.

Glucoamylase is an enzyme that hydrolyses 1,4α and 1,6β-glucosidic linkages in polysaccharides yielding glucose. Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 were locally isolated from cassava peel dumpsite for the production of glucoamylase enzyme. A. niger strains 1, 2 and 3 were screened for their hyper producing ability on potato dextrose agar using plate assay method fortified with starch agar, and showed zone of clearance of 17.0, 23.0 and 8.0 mm, respectively. The glucoamylase activity for A. niger strains 1 and 2 were 13 000.0 and 11 740.0, respectively. These values were however higher than the activity as obtained from the commercial enzyme with 2 500.0. Investigations on the protein (mg/ml), and specific activity (units/mg) on glucoamylase produced by A. niger strains 1 and 2 was 24.20, 537.19, 23.13 and 507.57, respectively. Fractionation of the enzyme ammonium sulphate (% w/v) using 60, 80 and 100% showed that the enzyme activities were 33 179.86, 47 985.86 and 19 167.65 units/ml, respectively. Protein concentrations were 16.29, 16.29 and 21.55 units/mg, respectively, while specific activities were 2 036.82, 2 945.725 and 889.45 units/mg, respectively. The production, packaging, and commercialization of glucoamylase in Nigeria will save a lot of foreign exchange earnings, and boost the economy of Nigeria. Keywords: Glucoamylase, specific activity, Aspergillus niger , fractionation, cassava peel. African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(21) 2154-2158

This paper proposes a weighted Support Vector Machine (w-SVM) method for efficient class prediction in binary response data sets. The proposed method was obtained by introducing weights which utilizes the point biserial correlation between each of the predictors and the dichotomized response variable into the standard SVM algorithm to maximize the classification accuracy. The optimal value of the proposed w-SVM cost and each of the kernels parameters were determined by grid search in a 10-fold cross validation resampling method. Monte-Carlo Cross Validation method was employed to examine the predictive power of the proposed method by partitioning the data into train and test samples using different sampling splitting ratios. Application of the proposed method on the simulated data sets yielded high prediction accuracy on the test sample. Results from other performance indices further gave credence to the efficiency of the proposed method. The performance of the proposed method was compared with three of the state-of-the art machine learning methods including the standard SVM and the result showed the superiority of this method over others. Finally, the results generally show that the modified algorithm with Radial Basis Function (RBF) Kernel perform excellently and achieved the best predictive performance than any of the existing classifiers considered.

OBJECTIVES: To improve the nutritional values of corn flakes enriched with edible mushrooms METHODS: Corn was processed into grit flour by cleaning, cooking and blending while oyster mushrooms was cultivated using substrate such as palm bunches, cocoa waste and wheat bran which was then roasted, dried and milled to produce mushrooms flour. A blend of corn grit and mushrooms was prepared in various proportions for the production of flakes using the extrusion process, with blending ratios of corn grit: mushroom as follows: MDX (95:5); DMX (90:10); XYZ (85:15); UPX (75:25); and control 100% corn grit. The samples were produced at the same temperature and speed. The corn grit and mushroom blends were subjected to functional and sensory evaluation. Proximate analysis was carried out on the flakes. RESULTS: Result of proximate analysis showed that protein, fat and fiber contents increased significantly in some samples with increased mushroom inclusion while carbohydrate decreased with increase in mushroom inclusion. For protein, values ranged from 0.98% in control sample to 5.55% in sample UPX (75:25); fat content ranged from 1.11% in control sample to 5.27% in sample UPX (75:25). Carbohydrate content ranged from 83.59% in control samples to 72.49% in sample UPX. There was also an increase in ash content with values ranging from 0.33% in control sample to 1.79% in sample UPX. Fiber increased from 6.17% in control sample to 8.26% in sample UPX. However overall acceptability evaluation showed that sample DMX (90:10) had the best in terms of acceptability. Functional properties for water absorption capacity, bulk density and swelling index indicate values ranging from 5.77 in control sample and 4.42 in sample UPX. Bulk density had values of 0.69 to 0.8; for swelling index it ranged from 4.53 to 4.72 for the various tests respectively CONCLUSIONS: Increased mushroom inclusions decreased dough strength in flakes produced. However, edible mushrooms have shown tremendous potentials for complimenting the diet of toddlers at appropriate inclusion ratios for optimal growth FUNDING SOURCES: Self funding.

OBJECTIVES: To improve the nutrition status of weaning food. METHODS: The sorghum was soaked for 4 hours, germinated for 72 hours at ambient temperature for 3 days. The mushroom was cultivated for 21 days using cocoa waste as the substrate. The flush was harvested and processed into flour. The harvested mushroom was blanched, drained, cleaned and cut into pieces for easy drying, spread over tray, dried using a dryer. The flour was blended in ratio 80:20 sorghum to mushroom, 70:30 mushroom to sorghum, 60:40 sorghum to mushroom and 50:50: sorghum to mushroom which were coded as AAA, BBB, CCC and DDD respectively. RESULTS: Proximate analysis was carried out on the blended flour, the protein ranges from 12.40% to 15.61%, the protein increases as the mushroom content increases in the sample. Sample AAA has 12.40% protein, BBB has 13.62%, CCC has 15.61% with the exception of sample DDD where the value of protein decreased. Moisture content ranges between 7.94%-8.96%. Sample AAA has the lowest moisture content while sample DDD has the highest, 8.96%. Carbohydrate ranges between 64.21% to 54.51%, it decrease as sorghum flour decreases. Sample AAA has the highest carbohydrate content of 64.21%. Sensory evaluation by 20 mothers who are familiar with commercial brand weaning food. It was evaluated for aroma, flavour, taste, color and overall acceptability of the product using 9.hedonic scale. Sample BBB was widely accepted by the panelist which was 30% mushroom and 70% sorghum and the commercial brand based on the fact that the panelists are familiar with it. CONCLUSIONS: The weaning food produced based on germination of sorghum, oyster mushroom has improved the nutritional quality, Mushroom is a source of protein which can be used to complement cereals in the formulation of weaning foods. FUNDING SOURCES: self funded.

Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 isolated from cassava dumpsites were used for the production of amylase enzyme. The Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 had diameter (mm) zone of clearance of 17.0, 23.0 and 8.0 respectively using Potato dextrose agar plates fortified with starch. Studies on the amylase enzyme activity (mg/ml) of Aspergillus niger strains 1 and 2 showed 19,340 and 16,510 respectively. These values were higher than the commercially available amylase enzyme that had an activity of 5,722.2. The protein (mg/ml) and specific activity (units/mg) for amylase from Aspergillus niger strain 1 was 28.39 and 681.23 while 21.76 and 758.73 from Aspergillus niger 2 respectively. Purification using ammonium sulphate (% w/v) at 60, 80 and 100 on amylase enzyme from Aspergillus niger strain 1 for enzyme activity, protein and specific activity was 44405.49, 17.01 and 2610.55, 28949.76, 23.62 and 1225.65, 36220.25, 16.67, and 2172.787 respectively. The microbial production of Amylase enzyme in Nigeria from Cassava peel will reduce cost of production, convert cassava peel from waste condition to wealth, and will boost economy through indigenous industrialization.

This study evaluates the technical efficiency of insured and uninsured cocoa farm operators in Ondo State, Nigeria. Study data were obtained from 60 insured and 60 uninsured farm operators. Descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier production function and t-test were used for the data analysis. The mean technical efficiency of the insured farm and uninsured farm operators was 76% and 70% respectively. Evidence from the t-test revealed that there was a significant difference between the technical efficiency of the insured and uninsured farm operators (t-cal. = 2.513; p = 0.012). The significant determinants for the output of the insured farm operators were farm size and the cost of pesticides while only the cost of pesticides was significant in determining output for the uninsured farm operators. The study therefore recommends policies aimed at promoting agricultural insurance among cocoa farmers, reducing the cost of pesticides, increasing farm size as well as encouraging young and well-educated individuals to insure their farming activities.

This paper examines the performance of the Nigerian manufacturing sector since independence in 1960 using such performance indices as percentage contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, index of manufactured products, percentage growth rate, manufacturing value added, employment growth rate, and percentage of capacity utilization within this period. Secondary sources like the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, Annual Reports and Statements of Accounts as well as the Statistical Facts sheets of the National Bureau of Statistics and other publications were used in collecting the data. The main finding is that despite many policies and developmental initiatives undertaken by successive civilian and military administrations since independence, the Nigerian manufacturing sector has grossly underperformed in relation to its potentials. Daunting challenges facing the sector include unfavourable business environment, erratic power supply, poor and decaying physical infrastructures, multiple taxations, obsolete technology, high interest rates and inconsistency in government policies. The paper concludes by making recommendations for achieving a verile manufacturing sector.

This study was designed to assess the risks and uncertainties encountered by poultry farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study describes the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, identify the risks and uncertainties encountered by the farmers, determines the level of severity of the risks and uncertainties, and identifies the coping strategies employed by the farmers. Primary data obtained from 99 registered poultry farmers selected through multistage sampling technique were used for the study. These were complemented with data from published and grey literature. Descriptive statistics and 3-point Likert scale were used to analyze the data. The study shows that poultry farming in the study area is practiced mainly by young, small-scale farmers, who are married, with high level of formal education but had little access to extension services. The major sources of risks encountered by the farmers were severe weather fluctuation, lack of veterinary services, disease outbreak, transportation problems, parasites and severe price fluctuation of birds. The study further revealed that the severe risks encountered by the farmers were disease outbreak, poor parent stock, accumulation of dung, severe weather fluctuation, lack of veterinary services and transportation problems. The study therefore calls for improved extension services, good transportation facilities, adequate veterinary services, market information by government and relevant stakeholders as well as formation of cooperative socities by the farmers.

Environmental Pharmacology – An Overview

A protease enzyme was isolated and partially purified from the pulp ofThaumatococcus daniellii fruit by gel filtration on sephadex G-75 followed by ion-exchange column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The enzyme showed a specific activity of 4.75 × 10-1 unit/mg protein and 6.93 × 10-1 unit/mg protein, respectively after each purification procedure. The purified enzyme had a Km andVmax of 2.0 × 10-4 M and 1.53 mol/min, respectively, using casein as substrate. The enzyme had an optimum temperature of 35°C and functioned best at pH 7.0 with some residual activity at alkaline pH. Key words: Protease, isolation, characterization, Thaumatococcus danielii.

The purposes of this study are to develop an in vivo cell system that is suitable for the immunofluorescent detection of transiently expressed proteins targeted to plant peroxisomes and to determine whether a C-terminal serine-lysine-leucine (SKL) tripeptide, a consensus-targeting signal for mammalian peroxisomes, also targets proteins to plant peroxisomes. Protoplasts from mesophyll cells and from suspension-cultured cells initially were examined for their potential as an in vivo import system. Several were found suitable, but based on a combination of criteria, suspension-cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Bright Yellow 2) cells (TBY-2) were chosen. The tobacco cell extracts had catalase activity, and two polypeptides of approximately 55 and 57 kD specifically were detected on immunoblots with anti-cottonseed catalase immunoglobulins G as the probe. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy with these immunoglobulins G revealed a punctate labeling pattern indicative of endogenous catalase localization within putative TBY-2 peroxisomes. The cells did not have to be completely converted to protoplasts for optimal microscopy; treatment with 0.1% (w/v) pectolyase for 2 h was sufficient. Microprojectile bombardment proved superior for transient transformation of the TBY-2 cells with plasmids encoding beta-glucuronidase, or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), or CAT with an added C-terminal tripeptide (CAT-SKL). C-terminal SKL is a consensus, type 1, peroxisome targeting signal. Double indirect immunofluorescent labeling showed that CAT-SKL co-localized with endogenous catalase. Non-punctate, diffuse localization of CAT without SKL provided direct evidence that the C-terminal SKL tripeptide was necessary and sufficient for targeting of CAT to plant peroxisomes. These data demonstrate the effectiveness of this peroxisome targeting signal for plant cells.

e18563Background: There is great need to study the morphologic outcome of bone marrow aspiration done in our center for generation of baseline data and planning. Methods: Record of bone marrow aspi...

Field trials were conducted for three years on the response of maize to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers on Oyo Soil Series (Arenic Haplustalf) and Iregun series (Aquic Haplustalf) in the derived savanna and southern guinea savanna zones of Nigeria, respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer as granulated urea at rates 0–300 kg N/ha, P fertilizer as single superphosphate at rates 0–120 kg P/h, and K fertilizer as muriate of potash at rates 0–180 kg K/ha were used for the different nutrient combinations. The base rates for N, P, and K were 100 kg N/ha, 40 kg P/ha, and 60 kg K/ha, respectively. The results of the trials showed that annual application of the blanket recommended N, P, and K rates to maize grown under intensive land use system could not produce optimum yield. Fertilizer efficiency varied along with soil test values from year to year. The highest response by maize in these zones was to N, the optimum rate ranged from 50–100 kg N/ha. Application of high rates of P and ...

Introduction Wilson disease is rarely reported among African children. This report describes the second case report of a Nigerian child with Wilson disease in three decades. Case presentation An eight-year-old African boy presented with generalized oedema and ascites and proteinuria. Over the next three weeks he developed conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia, severe coagulopathy and prominent extrapyramidal features consisting of rigidity, tremors at rest and in action, shuffling gait, slurred speech and emotional lability. Slit-lamp examination of his eyes revealed Kayser-Fleischer rings and sunflower cataracts. His serum caeruloplasmin level was 5mg/dL. Using the scoring system proposed by the 8th International Meeting of Wilson Disease and Menkes Disease, a diagnosis of Wilson disease was made. Conclusions Wilson disease does occur in African children, although the diagnosis is rarely made. A diagnosis of Wilson disease should be entertained in the evaluation of African children presenting with liver dysfunction and/or extrapyramidal neurological features.