Recruiting ethnic minority participants to a clinical trial: a qualitative study

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial License, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and is otherwise in compliance with the license.To compare the motives and experiences of different ethnic groups participating in a randomised double blind placebo-controlled trial of montelukast in preschool wheeze, and to assess parents' or guardians' understanding of trial procedures and their implications, including the collection of genetic material.National Institute of Health Research Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Stream(grant number: 08-43-03)

Utilisation of blood, chicken offal and fish meal as cockerels' dietary supplements

An experiment was undertaken to investigate the performance of 16-20 week-old cockerels fed diets based on three oil seed cakes viz. groundnut cake (CNG), CNG/Palm kernel cake, CNG/cotton seed cake supplemented with four sources of methionine and lysine viz. synthetic sources, blood meal, fish meal or chicken offal meal in 3 x 4 factorial treatment. The results indicated that weight gain, feed to gain ratio, nitrogen retention, liver nitrogen and liver fat as well as SCPT were not significantly (P<0.05) different either due to plant protein sources or methionine and lysine supplementation forms or both. However, the values for the serum total protein, SCOT, dressing percentage and abdominal fat were significantly (P>O. 05) affected l7y dietary treatments

Impact of HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) Knowledge on HIV Prevention Practices Among Traditional Birth Attendants in Nigeria

Nigeria is second in the world for the number of people with HIV and has a high rate of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Over 60% of births in Nigeria occur outside of health care facilities, and because of this, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) play a significant role in maternal and child health. It is important that TBAs be knowledgeable about HIV prevention. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of HIV testing and counseling (HTC) knowledge on the HIV prevention practices among TBAs in Nigeria. Five hundred TBAs were surveyed. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to assess differences in HIV prevention practices between TBAs with and without HTC knowledge. TBAs with HTC knowledge are significantly more likely to engage in HIV prevention practices than TBAs without HTC. Prevention practices included: wearing gloves during delivery (p \u3c 0.01), sterilization of delivery equipment (p \u3c 0.01), participation in blood safety training (p \u3c 0.01), and disposal of sharps (p \u3c 0.01). As long as a high percent of births occur outside health care facilities in Nigeria, there will be a need for TBAs. Providing TBAs with HTC training increases HIV prevention practices and can be a key to improve maternal and child health

Effects of crude oil on biomass and protein production by aquatic bacteria

Some effects of Bonny light crude oil on the biomass and protein production by three aquatic bacteria namely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophyla and Vibrio fisheri were investigated. The species showed different responses to the toxic influences of various crude oil concentrations. The growth response was measured spectrophotometrically using optical density (OD) at 600nm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa responded positively to all crude oil levels. A general assessment indicated that 2% (v/v) crude oil concentration stimulated maximum biomass and protein production of this organism. Lower biomass and protein yields were observed at reduced crude oil levels. Biomass production decreased gradually among Aeromonas hydrophyla and Vibrio fisheri in comparison to the control. Biomass of Aeromonas hydrophyla increased from 0.1 (OD600nm) at 0 h to 0.58 after 20 h at 0.5% crude oil concentration. This level gradually declined to 0.03 after 20 h cultivation at 1.5 % crude oil concentration. Maximum decline in optical density of this organism was observed at crude oil concentration of 2.0%. Protein levels for Aeromonas hydrophyla decreased from 0.12 mg/mL after 20 h at crude oil concentration of 0.5% to 0.06 mg/mL after 20 h at maximum crude oil concentration of 2%. The biomass of Vibrio fisheri increased slightly from 0.1(OD600nm) at 0 h to 0.03 after 20 h at 0.5% crude oil level. Further decreases in OD values of this organism occurred progressively as the crude oil concentration was increased. Lowest protein yield for this organism was observed at a crude oil concentration of 2% at which the least protein production of 0.03 mg/mL was produced after 20 h cultivation.Keywords: Crude oil, aquatic bacteria; protein; biomas

Purification and Some Properties of a Thermostable α-Amylase Produced from Bacillus subtilis Isolated from the Soil

This work reports the isolation, purification and some properties of a thermostable α-amylase producing Bacillus subtilis isolated from the soil. Soil samples were collected and screened for thermophilic bacterial strains with amylase activity and to examine the amylase heat tolerance potentiality. The isolate was Gram positive, motile rod, bearing terminal endospore. The optimum temperature of amylase activity was at 50oC. Maximum enzyme production occurred at pH 7.0. Corn starch produced the best enzyme activity of 1.82 U/mg protein and was found to be the best carbon source followed by soluble starch (1.21 U/mg protein). Among the five nitrogen sources studied, peptone caused the production of highest enzyme activity of 1.79 U/mg protein, followed by casein (1.38 U/mg protein). Ammonium sulphate proved to be the less suitable nitrogen source for enzyme production. Calcium chloride stimulated enzyme production (2.0 U/mg protein) more than other salts. These characteristics of Bacillus subtilis suggests its promising characteristics for various biotechnological applications.Key words: α-amylase; Bacillus subtilis; Thermophile; Enzyme purificatio

Production of single cell protein from hydrolyzed pineapple (Ananas comosus) peel using fungi

Production of single cell protein from hydrolyzed pineapple peels by fungi was investigated. Trichoderma viride was selected based on its high cellulase activity; diameter of clear zone on CMCagar (7.4 cm) and activity on carboxymethylcellulose (4.64 mg glucose/ml), filter paper (3.76 mg glucose/ml) and cotton wool (4.12 mg glucose/ml). Samples of pineapple peel were hydrolyzed with the solutions of HCl, H2SO4 and NaOH at 0.5% concentration. The NaOH hydrolysates (138 mg/ml, 298 and 9.44 mg/ml) have higher reducing sugar, soluble sugar and protein content than H2SO4 (129, 206l and 6.28 mg/ml) and HCl hydrolysates (131, 279 and 7.32 mg/ml), respectively. The culture of Trichoderma viride were used in fermenting the hydrolyzed pineapple peels. The protein yield in 0.5% NaOH hydrolysates (27.35 mg/ml) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than H2SO4 hydrolysate (18.32 mg/ml) and HCl hydrolysate (16.48 mg/ml) after 7 days incubation. The un-hydrolyzed samples which served as control produced the lowest protein. Nitrogen sources were added to the media supplemented with ammonium oxalate [(NH4)2C2O4], which gave the highest protein 55.44 mg/ml for NaOH hydrolysate. The maximum weight of biomass after drying biomass was 0.66 g/100ml. This study demonstrated the potential of pineapple peel as a substrate for product recovery, waste control and management.Keywords: Single cell protein, Ananas comosus, Cellulose, Pineapple, Fung

Understanding green and sustainable construction in Lagos, Nigeria: Principles, attributes and framework

The research examined the concepts, principles and attributes in understanding sustainable and green construction as well as current practices and challenges in Lagos, Nigeria using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The sample frame is the total number of built industries registered and practising professionals in Lagos. A total number of 85 respondents were randomly selected for study from each group. A 5-point likert scale was used to assess respondents’ judgement on the identified social, economic, bio-physical and technical indicators. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also conducted with professional groups to corroborate the primary information. For a wider coverage, three different construction sites were selected to reflect income neighbourhoods-Lekki (high income), Yaba (medium income) and Bariga (low income). Data Collected were analysed using the mean item score. A multi- stage framework based on environmental assessment and management systems for construction projects was utilised. Research findings indicate that the most important factors considered for sustainable construction with their mean item scores are quality of working conditions (0.852), strengthening and enforcement of relevant laws and regulations (0.872), encouraging construction waste management (0.819), and design for flexibility and adaptability. Results from the FGDs indicate that the current practice on sustainable construction does not take into consideration integrated design process, acoustic and visual comfort in the planning and construction of sustainable projects. The research therefore, concludes that government should improve existing laws to enhance quality of working life, education, training as well as knowledge management for all stakeholders in sustainable construction.Key Words: Sustainable construction, Green construction, Construction industry, Framewor

Effects of Crude Oil on Biomass and Protein Production by Aquatic Yeasts

Toxic effects of Bonny light crude oil on the growth of three aquatic yeasts namely Yarrowia lipolytica, Candida tropicalis and Debryomyces hansenii were studied based on their biomass and protein production. The species showed different responses to the toxic influences of various crude oil concentrations. The growth response was measured spectrophotometrically using optical density (OD) at 600nm. Yarrowia lipolytica responded positively to different crude oil levels. A general assessment indicated that 2% (v/v) crude oil concentration stimulated maximum growth and protein production of this organism. Lower yields were observed at reduced crude oil levels. Growth decreased gradually among Candida tropicalis and Debryomyces hansenii cultures in comparison to the control. Biomass of Candida tropicalis increased from 0.1 (OD600nm) at 0 h to 0.49 after 20 h at 0.5% crude oil concentration. This level gradually declined to 0.04 after 20 h cultivation at 1.5 % crude oil concentration. Maximum decline in optical density of this organism was observed at crude oil concentration of 2.0%. Protein levels for Candida tropicalis decreased from 0.13 mg/mL after 20 h at crude oil concentration of 0.5% to 0.04 mg/mL after 20 h at maximum crude oil concentration of 2%. The biomass of Debryomyces hansenii increased slightly from 0.1(OD600nm) at 0 h to 0.44 after 20 h at 0.5% crude oil level. Further decreases in OD values of this organism occurred progressively as the crude oil concentration was increased. Lowest protein yield was observed at a crude oil concentration of 2% at which the least protein production of 0.05 mg/mL was produced after 20 h.Key words: Crude oil, yeasts; protein; biomass

Purification and some properties of glucose isomerase from Bacillus megaterium

The objective of this study is to produce and purify glucose isomerase (GI) from Bacillus megaterium and to determine some of its properties. Soil sample was collected from cassava starch processing site and used immediately for bacterial isolation. Selected isolate produced the best GI activity in a preliminary test. The isolate was grown in media containing various carbon, nitrogen and metal salts for enzyme production. Among the carbon sources tested, Galactose gave the best yield (1.1 U/mg protein). Peptone was the best nitrogen source and caused the production of 0.85 U/mg protein. Of the tested metal salts, MgSO4.7H2O caused the production of the best enzyme activity of 0.81 U/mg protein. The GI was purified by precipitation with (NH4)2SO4 and chromatography on diethyl amino-ethyl (DEAE) – cellulose and DEAE-sephadex G-200 column. Thereafter, the enzyme activity was determined with the optimum temperature and pH at 40oC and 6.0 respectively. The enzyme was also characterized with a molecular weight of 65kDa as determined by the SDS – PAGE analysis. The enzyme could be applied in the production of high fructose corn syrup.Key words: Glucose isomerase, carbon sources, nitrogen sources, metal ions, enzyme purificatio

Effect of different high-fat diets on lipid profile in albino rats

Abstract: High-fat diets and sedentary lifestyles are the main causes of obesity, which is a major risk factor for chronic illnesses like heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and several types of cancer. This comparative study examines how male albino rats' lipid profiles are affected by high-fat diets made from widely eaten vegetable oils. A total of 48 male albino rats weighing between 100 and 150 grams were randomly assigned to five groups of eight. As the control group, Group 1 was given a diet that contained 11% energy from 5% soybean oil. Rats in Group 2 were given a diet that contained 30% crude palm oil and 2.5% soybean oil (CPO group). Rats in Group 3 were given a diet that contained 30% refined palm oil and 2.5% soybean oil (RPO group). Rats in groups 2–5 were fed a diet consisting of 2.5% soybean oil and 30% groundnut oil (GO group) and Group 5 rats were fed a diet consisting of 2.5% soybean oil and 30% shea butter (SHB group). Blood samples were taken at the end of the 8-week feeding protocol in order to evaluate lipid profiles, and the atherogenic index and coronary risk index were also computed. The results indicated that there were no significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) in the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol between the rats fed high-fat diets and the control group. In conclusion, the high-fat meals assessed in this study did not negatively impact the rats' lipid profiles and fared similarly to soybean oil