bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Solid Fermentation on Physicochemical and Microbial Compositions of Poultry Droppings for Biofertilizer
Authors: Ayantola K. J. , Imole P. O. 
Published: October 2022

Aim: The study was carried out with the aim of determining what would be the effect of solid fermentation on the microbial loads and physicochemical compositions of poultry droppings in preparation of biofertilizer.
Place and Period: The study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology Akure Ondo State in 2014.
Methodology: Solid fermentation was carried out on the poultry dung. Before the commencement of fermentation physicochemical and initial microbial load concentrations were determined. The microbial load of the poultry was evaluated for six days via plate count method. To isolate and identify the organisms associated with the dung, pour plate method was used. The following media were used for the isolation of microorganisms in poultry dung: Nutrient agar (NA); MaConkey agar (MCA); Mann Rogosa Shape (MRS0; Mannitol Salt agar (MSA), SIM agar, Moller Heaton agar (MHA), and Potato Dextrose agar (PDA). Identification of isolated bacteria was done tentatively based on microscopy, cultural and biochemical characteristics and according to the information of Bergey’s Manual of Bacteriological Identification.
Results: Eleven genera of bacteria and three species of fungi were isolated and identified in this study. Isolated bacteria are; Enterococcus feacalis, Corynebacterium xerosis, Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter freundii, Micrococcus reseus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus captis and Streptococcus pyogen and fungi are Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus respectively. Numerical values of physicochemical parameters before fermentation were on the lower values compared with the value during fermentation. Moisture content (29.52±0.06/75.45±0.08), Ash content (%) (3.43±0.42/9.93±013), PH (6.39/6.50), Crude protein (7.70±021/9.02±0.00), Total volatile Nitrogen (58.80/92.40). In the case of bacterial load, 1.79 x 104CFU/g was before the commencement of fermentation while the lowest load during fermentation was on fifth day with 5.1x102±0.00 CFU/g. However for the fungi load, the highest load recorded was 1.0x105 CFU/gg, on second day followed by 4.0x104 CFU/g, on third day of fermentation but on the fifth day fungi disappeared and reached zero.
Conclusion: the fermentation of poultry droppings increases the values of chemical constituents and decreases the microbial loads with time. Hence there is possibility of reducing the loads of pathogenic microorganisms in organic manure.
Formulation of Instant Atadjon (Mixed Tiger Nut and Rice) Flours Enriched with Legumes for Children of Weaning Age
Authors: Doué Ginette Gladys , Cissé Mariame , Zoué Thierry Lessoy , Mégnanou Rose-Monde 
Published: October 2022

Aims: Formulate instant infant flours based on a mixture of Tigernut-rice enriched with legumes, maize and peanuts.
Study Design: Original research.
Place and Duration of Study: This study took place at the Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agriculture and Valorization of Biological Resources, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University between March and July 2022.
Methodology: The ingredient doses of the three instant flour recipes (F1, F2 and F3) were combined using the Pearson square according to the dietary recommendations. For this purpose, three compositions were prepared that achieved a protein content of 13%. These were compound flour F1 (47.10% tigernut-rice+42.90% voandzou+5 % maize + 5% groundnut paste), compound flour F2 (52.54% tigernut-rice+37.46% cowpea+5% maize+5% groundnut paste) and compound flour F3 (51.20% tigernut-rice+38.80% common bean+5% maize+5% groundnut paste). The nutritional content, the amino acid composition of these flours as well as the organoleptic properties of their porridges were determined according to standard methods.
Results: The results revealed that atadjon instant flours produced at 13% protein with maize, groundnut and mainly legumes voandzou (F1), cowpea (F2) and common bean(F3) are rich in complete proteins with all nine essential amino acids. However, the formulation based on F1 exhibited the highest content of these essential amino acids. Energy and carbohydrate values of the three formulations reached a satisfactory rate over 100% compared to the nutritional norms. The respective lipid (9.54; 6.18; 7.18%) and ash (1.87; 1.67; 1.67%) contents of the three instant atadjon flours were within the range of recommended values. Finally, the anti-nutritional factors are almost negligible since the fibre contents of 2.56% (F1), 3.45% (F2) and 3% (F3) are below the limits recommended by the standards, as are those of tannins and oxalates. the porridges prepared from these flours were appreciated by the tasters. However, the porridge prepared from atadjon flour F1 was the most appreciated for its colour, aroma and taste.
Conclusion: These good quality and nutritious intant flours, prepared from locally available and accessible ingredients, could therefore be recommended for infant feeding.
Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections in an Asymptomatic Population in Dakar, Senegal
Authors: Ndiaye Babacar , Seck Abdoulaye , Diop Abdou , Dieng Assane , Diallo Thierno Abdoulaye , Mahou Chantal , Dubrous Philippe 
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a major public health problem. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are often asymptomatic, thus leading to a high risk of transmission in subjects with risky behaviors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of these 2 pathogens in an asymptomatic population.
Methodology: A retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in the medical biology laboratory of the Pasteur Institute of Dakar over a period of 23 months in asymptomatic patients who were seen as part of a travel check-up. A first-draft urine sample was collected and tested for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae by molecular biology techniques. Data entry and statistical analysis were performed by Excel 2010 and SPSS 2.0 respectively.
Results: A total of 5012 patients were included and the overall prevalence of STIs related to these 2 pathogens was 3.8% (194/5012).
The prevalences of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae were 2.7% (137/5012) and 1.0% (55/5012), respectively. The age group most affected was [20-29 years] with 58.4% (80/137; p=0.0001) for C. trachomatis and 45.5% (25/55; p=0.471) for N. gonorrhoeae. Co-infection with these two germs was observed in 0.3% (18; p=0.001) of patients.
Conclusion: STIs with C. trachomatis and/or N. gonorrhoeae can be asymptomatic and continue the chain of transmission. Thus, for a better prevention of STIs due to these pathogens, it is important to screen, educate and sensitize the populations considered at risk.
Regulation (Alteration) of Activity and Conformation of Sucrase by Coaggregation with Cellobiase in Culture Medium of Termitomyces clypeatus
Authors: Mukherjee Sumana , Basak Soumen , Khowala Suman 
Published: July 2002

AbstractExtracellular sucrase (S) of Termitomyces clypeatus was aggregated with cellobiase (C) in culture filtrate and coaggregates of sucrase to cellobiase with different activity ratios (S/C) were obtained during purification. Specific activity of the enzyme decreased significantly, after purification of sucrase free from cellobiase. Purified sucrase was characterized as a glycoprotein of molar mass around 55kDa as indicated by SDS–PAGE and HPGPLC. Km and Vmax of the purified enzyme were determined as 34.48 mM and 13.3 U/mg, respectively, at optimum temperature (45 °C) and pH (5.0). Substrate affinity and reaction velocity of the purified enzyme, free from cellobiase, was lowered by approximately 3.5 and 55 times, respectively, than that of the enzyme obtained from culture filtrate. The instant regain of sucrase activity up to the extent of 41% was obtained on in vitro addition of cellobiase (free from sucrase) to the enzyme in incubation mixture. Conformation of the enzyme free from cellobiase appeared to be significantly different from that of the coaggregate, as analyzed by circular dichroic and light scattering spectroscopy. It was concluded that activity and conformation of sucrase is regulated (altered) by heteroaggregation with cellobiase in the fungus.
Extraction of Amino Acids Using an Immobilized Liquid Membrane
Authors: Adarkar J. A. , Sawant S. B. , Joshi J. B. , Pangarkar V. G. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractA carrier‐mediated countertransport process for the extraction of amino acids is reported. The permeation of l‐Phe through a liquid membrane, constituted by a solution of ALIQUAT‐336 in toluene and supported by a hydrophobic microporous membrane, was studied. The best operating conditions were deducted by considering the effect of hydrodynamic factors, carrier concentration in the membrane phase, etc. The effect of impurities such as phosphates and tyrosine on the flux of Phe and selectivity of the carrier was evaluated.
Intraparticle Mass Transfer in High‐Speed Chromatography of Proteins
Authors: Farnan Dell , Frey Douglas D. , Horváth Csaba 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe effect of intraparticle mass‐transfer resistances on the peak shape at high flow velocities in the range currently used in high‐speed protein chromatography was investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The asymmetry of the protein bands under these conditions was quantified by the difference between the first moment and the retention volume of the peak apex, this being much easier to determine than the peak skewness. A general method is introduced for the evaluation of the mass‐transfer characteristics of a given chromatographic sorbent from the variation in peak asymmetry with reduced velocity. The method is shown to be most useful when the number of theoretical plates is between 3 and 300, which is the regime where peak asymmetry is prevalent. Measurements by isocratic elution under nonretained conditions were made on three chromatographic sorbents, each representing a general class of stationary phase configuration, i.e., gigaporous, mesoporous, and gel‐filled gigaporous particles. Mass‐transfer parameters were evaluated using the new method based upon the variation of the peak asymmetry with the fluid velocity. For the purpose of comparison, column mass transfer parameters were also evaluated from the variation in the reduced plate height with reduced velocity, a method most useful when the peak asymmetry is small and remains constant in the velocity range investigated. It is shown that the two methods are complementary and yield, within experimental error, the same intraparticle diffusion parameters. It was demonstrated using these methods that the diffusional behavior and the first moments of unretained eluites for the gel‐filled gigaporous column packing correspond to a sorbent particle where eluites diffuse through liquid‐filled pores containing a uniform distribution of solid cylinders, with the cylinders representing the polymer chains in the gel material. Similarly, the methods were used to verify that, at high flow rates, intraparticle convection can contribute substantially to the rate of intraparticle mass transfer in gigaporous column packings.
Comparison of six months therapy with octreotide versus lanreotide in acromegalic patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Razzore P. , Colao A. , Baldelli R. , Gaia D. , Marzullo P. , Ferretti E. , Ferone D. , Jaffrain‐Rea M.L. , Tamburrano G. , Lombardi G. , Camanni F. , Ciccarelli E. 
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVEWe analysed the effects of 6‐months' treatment with octreotide s.c. and lanreotide‐SR on circulating GH and IGF‐I levels in acromegaly.DESIGNOpen retrospective study.PATIENTSThirty‐eight patients with active acromegaly (plasma IGF‐I levels greater than 2 standard deviations for age‐matched controls and increased serum GH levels not suppressible by oral glucose load) were studied. All patients received s.c. octreotide at a dose of 150‐600 μg/day for six months as first therapy and subsequently, lanreotide i.m., 30‐60 mg either at 14 or 10 day intervals, for 6 months. A 3 months' washout was applied before starting lanreotide treatment.MEASUREMENTSMean serum GH levels (from three samples), IGF‐I, and clinical examination were performed before and 30, 60, 90 and 180 days after octreotide and lanreotide treatments. Safety tests, HbA1c and, thyroid function were evaluated every three months.RESULTSCirculating GH and IGF‐I levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) after one, three and six months of both octreotide and lanreotide treatment. The absolute values were lower and the percent decrease in serum GH levels obtained after octreotide treatment was significantly greater, at all scheduled assessments, than after lanreotide (P < 0.01). Serum IGF‐I levels during octreotide were significantly lower only after the first month of therapy (P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONSOur study shows that octreotide s.c. is able to induce an earlier reduction in IGF‐I levels and a more marked reduction in GH levels than lanreotide. However, after six months of therapy the number of patients with safe GH levels and normal IGF‐I age‐matched levels, was similar with both drugs. Therefore we suggest that octreotide treatment be preferentially used in the short‐term presurgical treatment, while lanreotide can be used in chronic therapy when better compliance is necessary.
White clover growth patterns during the grazing season in a rotationally grazed dairy pasture in New York
Authors: Karsten H. D. , Fick G. W. 
Published: July 2002

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is an important stoloniferous pasture legume in the Great Lakes region of the United States, but it often has limited persistence. Researchers in New Zealand and Wales have found that in spring, compared with other seasons, white clover plants have reduced branching complexity and have the fewest buds that produce leaves. They therefore suggested that in spring the plants are most vulnerable to grazing and climatic stress.Because of severe winter and cool, wet spring weather in New York State, it was hypothesized that white clover plants would also be of low branching complexity, smaller and have low axillary bud activity in spring compared with later in the grazing season. To test this, growth of white clover was monitored in an orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.)/white clover pasture in New York that was rotationally grazed with dairy cows during the 1993 and 1994 grazing seasons.Three sets of plants were sampled. The first set consisted of forty random plants sampled before each grazing event. Stolon branching order, number of each stolon branching type and area the plant occupied were determined. Approximately each month before one grazing event, a separate set of 32 random plants was measured in the field to determine the area they occupied; these plants were then removed to the laboratory for the measurement of stolon order, number of each stolon type, stolon lengths, total number of growing points, number of taproots and adventitious roots, root position and above‐ground dry matter. Once a month, 12 additional plants were removed to measure axillary bud activity at each node.Leaf development from nodes tended to increase from spring to summer. However, the stolon branching order of white clover plants was not simpler in spring compared with summer or autumn. In 1994 during and after a dry and hot period, white clover plants were smaller, of lower stolon branching order and had fewer roots. Climate and associated soil organism activity appear to explain the different white clover growth patterns observed in New York and New Zealand. Severe winters in New York limit earthworm activity and stolon burial, which is important in contributing to stolon/plant breakdown in New Zealand. During the years of this study in New York, a hot and dry period had the most negative effect on the growth pattern of white clover.
An audit of laxative use and fibre/fluid intakes in a care of the elderly rehabilitation ward
Authors: Grant E. 
Published: July 2002

Summary Background: Constipation is a common problem in elderly patients, resulting in considerable discomfort and expenditure on prescribed laxatives. Aims and objectives: This study aimed to audit the use of laxatives on a ward for the rehabilitation of elderly people; to assess the fibre and fluid provided to patients on the basis of hospital menus and to assess the individual, daily intakes of fluid and fibre of three patients. Methods: Pharmacy records were used to audit laxative use on the ward over a 3‐month period. Provision of fluid and fibre were assessed by analysis of the regular and soft menus for 3 days, using food composition tables. A weighed intake assessment of three patients for one day was undertaken. Results: Ispaghula husk (Fybogel, Regulan) were the most commonly used laxatives. Although the regular menu appeared to provide adequate amounts of fluid and fibre, results for the soft menu were less satisfactory. All three patients had intakes well below the recommended level of dietary fibre. Conclusion: Despite the limitations of this small study, the findings suggest that improvements in catering and food service could be implemented to increase the intake of dietary fibre by patients in this ward. These should be implemented and the use of laxatives re‐audited.
Surgery as salvage therapy in chemotherapy‐resistant nonseminomatous germ cell tumours
Authors: Ravi  , Ong  , Oliver  , Badenoch  , Fowler  , Hendry  
Published: July 2002

Objective To review our experience of surgical staging for residual masses after chemotherapy in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) and positive tumour markers.Patients and methods Of 107 patients with metastatic NSGCTs treated surgically after chemotherapy from 1978 to 1995, 30 (median age 30.5 years, range 20–52) had positive tumour markers. These patients were reviewed and the outcome compared with 77 patients who had normal tumour marker values.Results Of the 77 patients with negative markers undergoing surgical/pathological staging, 71 (92%) became continuously disease‐free, including 37 of 50 (74%) with viable NSGCT in excised specimens. Seventeen of 30 (57%) with raised marker levels undergoing similar surgery for chemotherapy‐resistant tumour became disease‐free, including 11 of 22 with viable NSGCT in the excised specimens.Conclusion Although the outcome after surgery is better in patients with negative tumour markers, it is clear that surgery is curative for patients with localized chemotherapy‐resistant masses. There is a need for continued debate on the timing of salvage surgery and subsequent chemotherapy.
Insulin secretion and action in different stages of glucose tolerance in Asian Indians
Authors: Snehalatha C. , Satyavani K. , Sivasankari S. , Vijay V. , Ramachandran A. 
Published: July 2002

SummaryAimsTo evaluate the sequence of changes in insulin secretion and action in different stages of glucose tolerance and the effect of obesity on insulin profile in South Indian adults. Blood samples from 260 consecutive cases with no known history of diabetes were collected. Plasma insulin levels were measured during a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin resistance (IR) was calculated, using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). An index of insulin secretion was derived as the ratio of incremental insulin at 30 min divided by 30 minute plasma glucose (Δ I/G)ResultsNormoglycaemia was present in 164, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in 60 and diabetes in 36 subjects. Fasting and 2 h insulin secretion showed bell shaped curves with increasing plasma glucose. The peak values corresponded to the cut‐off values used for the diagnosis of clinical diabetes. IR was higher in obese than in nonobese, nondiabetic subjects but the effect of obesity on IR was not found in subjects with diabetes. IGT was associated with higher IR, but not with evidence of a β‐cell defect.ConclusionsEvaluation of insulin resistance and β‐cell function in different stages of glucose tolerance indicate that insulin resistance is manifested in the early stage of glucose intolerance in South Indians, i.e. IGT. A β‐cell defect was mostly found in people with diabetes. The β‐cell defect is more common in diabetes among the nonobese.
Optometrist screening for diabetic retinopathy: evidence and environment
Authors: Mason James , Drummond Michael , Woodward Geoff 
Published: July 2002

SummaryA recent English government‐funded study has suggested that optometrists are not best suited to screening for diabetic retinopathy. This is surprising given the level of training of optometrists and their aptitude in detecting other conditions such as glaucoma and cataract.The need to screen for diabetic retinopathy is discussed. The major unresolved issue concerns the choice of screening modality, i.e. who should perform screening, when and how. A literature search is reported. Given the available evidence, to make conclusions about the relative performance of optometrists with other screeners would be inappropriate.Unresolved controversies could be addressed by new prospective studies of optometrists, and others, in screening. A pragmatic design, mirroring the current environment of care, may be important. In particular, the manner in which diabetics currently present to the health service would make screening by one modality of limited use. If thoughtfully applied, shared care concepts may achieve a broader coverage of patients with diabetics mellitus. Smaller trials investigating sub‐issues, and surveys of patients and potential screeners may produce a valuable backdrop in designing appropriate studies.Issues for the development of screening schemes are considered, including the role of training, the development of protocols for care and sharing data, reimbursement and audit.