The Potential Importance of Maize, (Zea Mays L), in Nigeria, [A Case Study of 2,800 Farmers Sampled at Different Locations]
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2020
Pages:
1-10
Received:
17 August 2019
Accepted:
9 September 2019
Published:
6 January 2020
Abstract: This research work was carried out, to find the potential importance of maize, in Nigeria.4 Local governments, namely: (Ife East, Ife South, Ife Central and Ife North), local government areas, in Nigeria were sampled. 2,800 open questionnaires were distributed to 4 Local Governments, out of which 700 was used for farmers in each local government. A total of28different locations, was visited in all the four Local Governments, out of which100 questionnaires were used in each location. It was gathered that above 80% of the farmers from the four local governments, supported, the potential importance of maize, in Nigeria, while below 20% of the farmers, could not even understand, whether there was any need for the potential importance of maize, in Nigeria, or not. The results from the questionnaires when using Pearson two-tailed correlation coefficient, however revealed that there was a significant difference from all the farmers visited and sampled, (p > 0.01) and (p > 0.05) respectively, table 5. This shows a strong positive correlation, which implying that, the potential importance of maize, in Nigeria, is strongly influenced and enhanced the farmers and support, and, had therefore, made this research work to become a reality, (p > 0.01) and (p > 0.05), table 5. The reasons may be due to the fact that, Maize (Zea Mays L), is not only served as the most productive grain crops in the middle and northern belts of Nigeria where sunshine is adaptable and rainfall is moderate; It however serves as a basic raw materials to thousands of industrial products that may includes: alcoholic, beverages, pharmaceutical, food sweeteners, food cereals, cosmetic and films, gums, package, textile, paper industries and so on. And also, as one of African’s dominant food crop, maize can be consumed in varied forms, such as: maize flour for confectionaries, semo (for swallow with soup), as corn beef, mill (for animals feeding), as roaster corn, it can be boiled or prepared as porridge. Bar chart was used to depict the summary data of each of the local government areas sampled in Ile-Ife Kingdom, of Nigeria.
Abstract: This research work was carried out, to find the potential importance of maize, in Nigeria.4 Local governments, namely: (Ife East, Ife South, Ife Central and Ife North), local government areas, in Nigeria were sampled. 2,800 open questionnaires were distributed to 4 Local Governments, out of which 700 was used for farmers in each local government. A...
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Prevalence and Factors Associated with Dyslipidemia in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease in Parakou (Benin)
Moutawakilou Gomina,
Moussa Ayedoun,
Tarik Salifou,
Delphin Aidewou,
Simon Akpona
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2020
Pages:
11-15
Received:
21 December 2019
Accepted:
30 December 2019
Published:
7 January 2020
Abstract: Objective: Determine the prevalence and factors associated with dyslipidemia in adult subjects with sickle cell disease in Parakou in 2017. Methods: This research work was a descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional and observational study carried out from January 6 to June 6, 2017. It involved 100 adult subjects with sickle cell disease (mean age: 28.77 ± 8.73 years) in the city of Parakou (Benin). Serum lipid parameters were measured through enzymatic colorimetric methods on Mindray ® BS-120 automaton (Guangdong, China). The different types of dyslipidemia were classified according to criteria defined in the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Results: The overall prevalence of the different types of dyslipidemia was estimated at 82% (95% CI [75.27; 88.34]). The different types of dyslipidemia were distributed as followed: HDL hypocholesterolemia (79%; 95%IC [69.71; 86.51]), LDL hypercholesterolemia (13.0%; 95%CI [7.11; 21.20]), total hypercholesterolemia (7.0%; 95%CI [02.86; 13.89]), hypertriglyceridemia (4.0%; 95%CI [1.10; 9.93]) and mixed hyperlipidemia (1.0%; 95%CI [0.03; 5.45]). Atherogenic dyslipidemia was not found out. HDL hypocholesterolemia was significantly associated with personal history of hypertension (P = 0.029), emaciation (P = 0.023) and age above or equal to 50 years (P = 0,016). Tobacco consumption (P = 0.01) and age below 50 years (P = 0.02) were significantly associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Conclusion: The prevalence of the different types of dyslipidemia is high among adults with sickle cell disease in Parakou.
Abstract: Objective: Determine the prevalence and factors associated with dyslipidemia in adult subjects with sickle cell disease in Parakou in 2017. Methods: This research work was a descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional and observational study carried out from January 6 to June 6, 2017. It involved 100 adult subjects with sickle cell disease (mean age: ...
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Lipid Lowering Potentials and Phytochemical Properties of Colocasia esculenta Leaf Extract in Rats
Frank Uchenna Eneh,
Uchechukwu Chibuzo Ogbodo,
Chibuike Johnson Ogbu
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2020
Pages:
16-20
Received:
9 February 2020
Accepted:
26 February 2020
Published:
10 March 2020
Abstract: Hyperlipidemia has remained a major risk factor in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases and research efforts have been geared toward proffering remedies through diet and nutrition inherent in potent herbaceous plants. This study therefore investigated the effect of ethanol extract of the leaves of Colocasia esculenta on the serum lipid profile of male Albino rats as well as phytochemicals of ethnomedicinal importance. A total of 18 rats divided into three groups of 6 rats each were engaged in the investigation. The first group (baseline) was sacrificed after purchase; second group (control) was fed rat chow, and the third group (test) was fed a composite feed containing rat chow and 5% extract of C. esculenta leaves. The lipid profile total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TAG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) of the rats were assayed after 21 days of feeding and the result showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between the test and control groups for the lipids assayed. The extracts of C. esculenta reduced TC and LDL levels significantly (p<0.05) from 4.01±2.28 in control to 0.31±0.25mmol/L in the test for TC and then from 1.53±1.19 in the control to 0.07±0.04mmol/L in the test for LDL. This indicates that the leaves of this plant have a very high tendency to be protective against cardiovascular diseases. However, there was a marked increase in the TAG level of the test group (2.37±0.84mmol/L) compared to the control group (0.22±0.18mmol/L). This was nevertheless found to be not significant (p>0.05) but indicates the possibility for enhancement of TAG synthesis by the leaves of C. esculenta. Phytochemical screening showed a rich array of plant metabolites including flavonoids, saponins, tannins and alkaloids which may contribute to the hypolipidemic effects of ethanol extract of the plant. Further investigations may require identifying and characterizing the phytochemicals responsible for the overall role of the plant in folklore medicine.
Abstract: Hyperlipidemia has remained a major risk factor in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases and research efforts have been geared toward proffering remedies through diet and nutrition inherent in potent herbaceous plants. This study therefore investigated the effect of ethanol extract of the leaves of Colocasia escul...
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Effect of L-Methionine Feeding on Serum Homocysteine and Glutathione Levels in Male and Female Wistar Rats
Shatha Ahmad Demerchi,
James Robert McFarlane,
Pierre Dominique Jean Moens,
Nicola King
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2020
Pages:
21-25
Received:
19 February 2020
Accepted:
10 March 2020
Published:
23 March 2020
Abstract: Homocysteine (Hcy) is a critical indicator of cardiovascular disease. High levels of Hcy have now been recognised as a risk factor for the development of a wide range of diseases. Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) can be induced by methionine or Hcy supplementation. On the other hand, Glutathione (GSH) is a major antioxidant in the body and also an important compound for oxidative defence. It is composed of 3 amino acids: cysteine, glutamate, and glycine. Interestingly, methionine is also a crucial compound in GSH synthesis. This study aims to assess the impact of 1% L-methionine feeding (10 or 30 weeks) on the body weight and serum Hcy and GSH levels of young adult (16 weeks) and middle-aged (36 weeks) Wistar rats of both sexes. Serum was analysed for Hcy and reduced GSH levels by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) in response to 1% L-methionine feeding. One percent L-methionine feeding decreased body weight in all conditions investigated, although this only reached significance in males after 10 weeks supplementation and females after 30 weeks supplementation. It also induced a significant increase in the serum Hcy levels of male Wistar rats, whilst having no significant effect on Hcy serum levels in female rats. Finally, we also observed a small increase in serum GSH levels in female Wistar rats but no change in serum GSH levels in the males. These results suggest that methionine feeding affects body weight homeostasis and alters by products of methionine catabolism.
Abstract: Homocysteine (Hcy) is a critical indicator of cardiovascular disease. High levels of Hcy have now been recognised as a risk factor for the development of a wide range of diseases. Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) can be induced by methionine or Hcy supplementation. On the other hand, Glutathione (GSH) is a major antioxidant in the body and also an impor...
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