In rural areas, goats contribute to the reduction of malnutrition through their production of milk and meat. A review of the zootechnical and reproductive performance of goat breeds in Benin was made from ninety (90) articles, papers and documents related to these goat breeds. The main data concern the taxonomy of goats, their origin, the importance of goat rearing, the description and zootechnical parameters of the goat breeds encountered in Benin. The main local goat breeds encountered in Benin were the dwarf or Djallonke, the Sahelian breed and the red goat of Maradi. The exotic breeds mentionned in this paper concern the Alpine and the Saanen breeds. The zootechnical and reproductive performances varied from one goat race to another, but satisfactory overall. It is worth to focus on the breeding of these short-cycle species in order to meet the ever increasing demand for meat products. Alternatives for improving the performance of local breeds in crossing with exotic breeds constitute some ways to explore in order to boost the production of milk and meat goats in Benin.

Abstract: Main objective of this study is to utilize Agro wastes instead of pure sugars for cellulases productions. It was noted that maximum fungal cell growth was obtained 0.936g/100ml of Aspergillus niger was observed at pH 4.11 in hydrolyzed rice husk used as carbon source. Aspergillus niger was isolated from the soil of Khairpur. The collection and utilization of suitable Agro wastes used as a carbon source for cellulases production by fungi requirements optimized fermentation process. Five agricultural wastes were measured for cellulolytic enzyme production using pretreatment methods acid. Acid pretreatment was found to be the most efficient and best method for higher enzyme production. Using this cheap and renewable residue, for cellulolytic enzyme production by Aspergillus niger boosts its economic value which is not comparable with its current use as animal feed. Agro wastes such as sugarcane peelar bagasse, sugarcane bagasse, banana fruit stalk, sorghum husk and rice husk were hydrolyzed with 0.6N HCl. Rice husk was found good substrate in comparison to other Agro wastes for the growth of Aspergillus niger and cellulases production. Maximum activity of cellulases were noted 4.811 (units/ml). The Cellobiase and salicinase maximum production 4.717 and 4.742 units per ml obtained at 240 hours respectively.

HIV-related cutaneous manifestations are very common and can be easily detected. If studied systematically, they can serve as diagnostic and prognostic markers. It is aimed to study the skin biopsies of various dermatological manifestations that occur in HIV seropositive patients attended to a tertiary care centre. This is a prospective study of cases of 104 were studied histopathologically who were Seropositive for HIV. Majority are of 31- 40 years (32.69%), and closely followed by the age group 21-30 years (28.84 %). Patients of both sexes were affected with males females ratio of 1.19:1. The most common cutaneous manifestation observed was Papulosquamous lesions with 37.5% cases and in this 53.84% cases were pruritic papular urticaria. Infections observed were 25%, among which majority were of bacterial infections. Drug reactions were observed in 15.3% of cases and majority of patients presented with Stevens Johnson syndrome. Dermatitis was seen in 11.53% of patients and seborrheic dermatitis is the common non-infectious dermatosis. Other cutaneous manifestations like vascular involvement, neoplasms contributed minority of cases. Most of the patients presented with cutaneous manifestations having CD4 count in the range of 350-500. It was conclude that the dermatological lesions are extremely common and may present with early, severe, unusual and atypical manifestations in the course of HIV infection. Awareness of the varied pattern of these manifestations would help in the early diagnosis and management of HIV infection, which would in turn decrease the morbidity and improve the quality of life of HIV-infected patients.

Abstract: Syndrome Z is defined as the co-occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome. There is a paucity of information on the magnitude of syndrome Z in the community and the factors associated with it. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality from both coronary heart disease and stroke [1-3] but whether this risk is due to coexistent known cardiovascular risk factors or specific effects of OSA remains to be established. In populations at risk of vascular disease, many patients who experience a cardiovascular event either do not have identifiable risk factors or have disease severity which appears to be out of proportion to their known risk factors. A lot of the variance in the incidence of vascular disease is therefore not explained by known risk factors. It is possible that OSA is a cardiovascular risk factor, previously largely unrecognized, which may account for some of the apparently unexplained variance in vascular risk. Systemic hypertension during daytime measurements of blood pressure is common in patients with OSA [8] but a causal link between these two conditions has been disputed [2, 3]. Sleep apnea has been shown to be common in patients with hypertension [8-11] and, conversely, patients with OSA have a high prevalence of hypertension [1, 5]. The frequency with which risk factors for hypertension such as increasing age and obesity coexist in patients with OSA has confounded identification of a causal relationship between OSA and hypertension.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is one of the important causes of hepatitis in developing countries. It is transmitted through feco-oral route. They pose major health problems. To determine the prevalence of HAV in patients presenting with acute viral hepatitis. Serum samples of the patients presenting with fever, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice were collected and analyzed by using commercially available RecombiLISA ELISA kit for the detection of immunoglobulin M (IgM) against HAV. A 20 months retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Shri M. P. Shah Govt. Medical College, Jamnagar, Gujarat (India). Of the 532 serum samples subjected to RecombiLISA ELISA for detection of anti-HAV IgM in patients, 157 (29.51%) were found to be positive. The prevalence was found to be more in male patients than in female patients, that is, 81(51.59%) and 76(48.41%), respectively, and was predominantly seen in the 6–15 years of the school-going age group. Peak cases were found in the monsoon season. Regular monitoring of clinical, serological and molecular characteristics would help in understanding the epidemiology of HAV and in planning the intervention studies.

Abstract: Lipoprotein (a) is independently associated with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) and is referred to as the most atherogenic lipoprotein. It is synergistic with the effects of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Unlike other major classes of lipoproteins that have a normal distribution in the population, plasma levels of Lipoprotein (a) / Lp (a) have a skewed distribution towards the lower end with 85% population having concentration <30 mg/dL. The aim of present study is to estimate the level of serum Lp(a) in cerebrovascular diseases or Strokes. The study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Sushila Tiwari Memorial Hospital, the teaching hospital of Uttaranchal Forest Hospital Trust (UFHT) Medical College, Haldwani (Nainital), Uttarakhand, on patients of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) which included estimation of Lp(a) and lipid profile (TC, TG, HDLc, LDLc, VLDLc) test. Out of the 17 women and 36 men in whom Lp (a) was measured, 2 women (mean age63.5 years) and 21 men (59years) had CVD (CVD(+), while 15 women (50.13 years) and 15 men (52.33 years) had no CVD [CVD(–)]. As shown in Table 1, there were no significant differences between women with or without CVD in age and concentration of total plasma cholesterol. The study was based on a small sized cohort of 23 cases suffering from (CVD) out of which 21 were males and 2 were females. Thirty (30) healthy subjects were taken as controls, who were not suffering from any disease, which may affect serum lipid levels and without any history of cerebrovascular disease. Total-C, LDLc, VLDLc, Triglyceride, HDLc, LDL/HDL, Cholesterol/HDL and Lp(a) were estimated in all the cases.

Mature cystic teratomas comprise of 10-20% of ovarian neoplasms. Malignant transformation in a dermoid cyst occurs in 0.17-2% of cases. Primary ovarian melanoma arising in a dermoid cyst is an extremely rare entity. It must be differentiated from a metastatic melanoma which is more common. A fifty nine year old female presented with lower abdominal pain and heaviness. A right adnexal mass was noted on Computed tomography (CT) scan. Left ovary and uterus were normal. She underwent a right salpingo-oopherectomy. Histopathological examination along with immunohistochemical analysis and clinical correlation serves the diagnostic purpose and surgery with adequate margin clearance plays an important role in management. We report a rare case of primary malignant melanoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma.

Bangladesh has the second highest prevalence rate of child marriage. Atthe village Montolaof Monohardi upazilain Narshindi district, child marriage is still a bad custom. NGOs are not successful enough with their traditional practices. Actually, creativity is in need at this juncture. This study, which is dominantly qualitative in nature, suggests some creative direct marketing approach. With the help of focus group discussion and direct observation, this study found some core causes of child marriage e.g., poverty, lack of education and social norms or tradition and therefore, suggests successful girl’s voice, union parisad’s seminars on health complicacy due to child marriage, melodious songs in hut on hutbar, drama or jatrapala etc.

This study was aimed at comparing the height predicted from ulna lengths in the adults (aged between 20 to 50 years old) from the two different ethnic groups. Analysis of stature of 600 healthy males and 600 females from Ikwerre and Kalabari ethnic groups, both in Rivers State, Nigeria, Height was measured using a stadiometer, while ulna length was taken with a sliding vernier calliper. The measurements were recorded in centimetres to the nearest 0.1 cm. A multiplication factor i.e ratio of the stature to the respective physical measurements was then calculated for each measurement. The multiplication factors were multiplied with the ulna length to give the estimated value which correlated with the measured stature. The mean male Ikwerre stature was 173.1 while the female was 160.77. The mean stature for Kalabari male was 166.83, while the female was 158.83. Correlation coefficient in the study for Ikwerre males is 0.96 and females 0.997 I and that of the Kalabari males is 0.996 and females 0.996. Regression coefficient for Ikwerre males is 7.89 and females 6.48 and that of Kalabari males is 6.31 and female 6.15. The observed data was subjected to „z‟ test for correlation coefficient. The value for „z‟ test was found to be statistically not significant. It was concluded that ulna length can be used as a surrogate in measuring height. Also, there was no significant difference in the stature of the two different tribes.

This study investigates the effect of tax audit and investigation on the revenue generating capabilities of Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), a study of Port Harcourt branch of Federal Inland Revenue Services. The two research questions that guided the research include; to what extent does functional tax audit and investigation department of FIRS influence its revenue generating capabilities; and to what extent does ineffective tax audit and investigation exercises affect the revenue generating capacity of Federal Inland Revenue Service. The population of the study consists of the staff members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and professional accountants Port-Harcourt. A Simple random sampling technique was adopted in distributing 100 copies of questionnaire, out of which 80 copies were returned. Presentation and analysis of primary data collected with questionnaire were done using tables and simple percentages. The study revealed that functional tax audit and investigation department, to a considerable extent influences the revenue generating capabilities of Federal Inland Revenue Service. Besides, ineffective tax audit and investigation exercises, to a great extent, weaken revenue generating capacity of Federal Inland Revenue Service. The study recommends the need to strengthen tax audit and investigation department and to ensure its optimal performance, a degree of autonomy should be granted to this department to enable it carry out its responsibilities effectively as specified in Federal Inland Revenue Service Establishment Act 2007.Thorough, regular, effective and efficient audit and investigation exercises should be put in place through the employment of competent professionals considering the importance of tax audit and investigation processes. The study equally concluded that effective and efficient audit and investigation exercises together with functional tax audit and investigation department would strengthen considerably the generating capabilities of Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS).

Distribution transformers, being the most common equipment in a distribution system, are of very great importance and must be properly cared for so that they can perform optimally at all times and last long. One of the major challenges distribution transformers have is the amount of losses in the transformer. These losses are load and no-load losses, of which load losses constitute the most under full and medium capacity operations. Several methods have been proposed in the fight to improve the handling capacity of distribution transformers and reduce the load losses in the transformer. In this study, an analysis is carried out on the effects of linear and non-linear loads on an 11/0.415kV, 200kVA, three phase, two winding oil coiled distribution transformers and three of the methods of loss compensation. These system is modelled and simulated using Matlab Simulink 2015a. The simulation results are collected and using Microsoft Excel, graphs are used to compere the results from the different simulations.

Consumption of thermoxidised and photoxidised palm oil diets is known to be harmful to tissues in the body including the reproductive system. It is not known which of these two forms of the commonly consumed vegetable oils is less harmful to reproductive function. Fifteen male Wistar rats weighing 80-125g and aged 19 to 23 weeks were randomly divided into control, thermoxidised palm oil (TPO) and photoxidised palm oil (PPO) diets-fed groups of five rats per group. Control group was fed on plain rat feeds while the other two groups were fed on TPO diet or PPO diet accordingly for 13 weeks. Results demonstrated a significantly lower seminal pH in the PPO-fed than in the TPO-fed group (P<0.01) and control (P<0.05). Sperm motility was significantly reduced in the PPO-fed compared with TPO-fed groups (P<0.05). The viability of sperms was significantly decreased in PPO-fed rats compared with the TPO-fed group (P<0.05) and control (P<0.01). Sperm count was significantly lower in PPO-fed compared with TPO-fed group (P<0.01). Percentage of sperms with morphological defects was significantly higher in the PPO- than in the TPO-fed groups (P<0.01). Serum testosterone concentration was significantly decreased in PPO-fed compared with TPO-fed group (P<0.001). Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) level was significantly decreased (p<0.001) in PPO-fed group compared with control and TPO-fed groups. Serum concentration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was significantly decreased (p<0.001) in PPO-fed group compared with control and TPO-fed groups. In conclusion, chronic consumption of PPO diet has greater deleterious effects on male reproductive function than TPO diet

The study examined the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women in three selected hospitals in Port Harcourt namely; military hospital, St. Margaret maternity home and El-Joe dam specialist hospital. This study was aimed at determining the Prevalence of HIV/AIDS among pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The population of the study was all the pregnant women that registered for antenatal at the three selected hospitals. The sample size was 400 randomly selected. 300 pregnant women were sampled at Military hospital, 50 each at St. Margaret maternity home and EL-Joe dam specialist hospital. The “prevalence of HIV /AIDS a close-ended questionnaire” used to collect data. The results were tabulated. The blood sample for the test was collected by vein puncture into EDTA. The confirmatory test was done using ELISA, PCR and western blot Methods. A relatively high number of seropositive women fell in the age brackets of 30-34 which is 42.11% years while the least prevalence was between the ages of 20-24 years. Out of the four hundred (400) subjects screened thirty–eight seropositve which can be translated to a prevalence of 9.5% in Port Harcourt. The research work indicates that there is high HIV prevalence among pregnant women more especially during their sexual active age. The finding of this work is not at variance with work done in other parts of the world, based on the literature review. The research work indicates that there is HIV prevalence among pregnant women.

Research on Local Wisdom, Innovation and Talent of Management on SME Competitiveness by using quantitative approach and survey method. The sample of the research is 61 people. Data were collected using questionnaires with Likert scale 1-5. The data analysis technique is Generalized Structured Component Analysis. The results of this study prove that: 1) the Local wisdom has direct and positive impact on competitive advantage of SMEs, 2) innovation has direct and positive impact on the competitive advantage of SMEs, 3) Talent Management has directly and positively impact on competitive advantage of SMEs, 4) Local Wisdom has direct and positive impact on Talent Management, 5) Innovation has direct and positive Affect onTalent Management, 6) Local Wisdom has direct and positive impact on competitive advantage of SMEs through Talent Management mediation, and 7) Innovation has directly to competitive advantage of SMEs through Talent Management.

The present study mainly focuses on the ethno-botanical importance of Pteridophytes which are widely used by the local people of Marunthuvazhmalai hills, southern Western Ghats. As many as 25 taxa of pteridophytes along with the botanical name, family name, habit, part used, and their ethno-botanical uses (if available) are provided. They comprise terrestrial, epiphytic, litho-phytic and hydophytic forms.