Heterosis of early generation white maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred lines for yield and yield components in mid altitude sub-humid agroecology of Ethiopia

The objectives of this study were to calculate heterosis of twelve inbred lines of white maize and identify good hybrids based on grain yield data and other yield-related traits. Thirteen inbred lines (13) were crossed in 2017 with two inbred line testers using a line by tester mating design. Twenty-six crosses were generated and evaluated in a randomized incomplete block design (RCBD) with two standard checks and 3 replications during the long rainy seasons between June to December, 2018 at Bako National Maize Research Center, Ethiopia. Also, adjacentto the hybrid trial, thirteen parental lines with the two tester lines were evaluated using RCBD with three replications. Mean separation was done using least significant differences (LSD). The overall mean grain yields (GY) of the genotypes (crosses) were 6.32 t/ha ranging from 5.21 t/ha to 8.19 t/ha. Heterosis for mid parent, better parentand standard were estimated for inbred lines. The highest significant positive heterosis over the best standard check for GY was recorded for L10 XT2 (334.21%). Inbred lines that showed positive heterosis over better parent and midpart for GY can used for germplasm source for maize breeder

Emergence and spread of two SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest in Nigeria.

Identifying the dissemination patterns and impacts of a virus of economic or health importance during a pandemic is crucial, as it informs the public on policies for containment in order to reduce the spread of the virus. In this study, we integrated genomic and travel data to investigate the emergence and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.318 and B.1.525 (Eta) variants of interest in Nigeria and the wider Africa region. By integrating travel data and phylogeographic reconstructions, we find that these two variants that arose during the second wave in Nigeria emerged from within Africa, with the B.1.525 from Nigeria, and then spread to other parts of the world. Data from this study show how regional connectivity of Nigeria drove the spread of these variants of interest to surrounding countries and those connected by air-traffic. Our findings demonstrate the power of genomic analysis when combined with mobility and epidemiological data to identify the drivers of transmission, as bidirectional transmission within and between African nations are grossly underestimated as seen in our import risk index estimates

Nutritional and anti-nutritional evaluation of ten genotypes of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in a derived savanna ecology of Nigeria

The selection of pepper genotypes for high yield could be exploited together with high nutritional content and considerable secondary metabolite level. The present study was aimed at evaluating the nutrient and anti-nutrient compositions of ten genotypes of pepper through laboratory assessment. According to the nutrients analyzed, total carotenoid content ranged from 6 - 34 mg / 100 g, β -carotene from 4 – 7 mg / 100 g and ascorbic acid from 83 - 100 mg/ 100g. Most parameters evaluated varied significantly. Moisture content ranged from 84.2% to 77.4%, ash content from 1.5% to 0.8%, protein from 7.5% to 4.6%, fat from 2.7% to 1.8% and fiber from 11.7% to 6.2%. Results also showed that mineral content had the following range: Na with 0.31 – 0.82 mg/ 100 g, K with 24.50 – 40.70 mg/ 100 g, Zn with 21.11 – 26.31 mg/ 100 g, Fe with 0.41 – 0.65 mg/ 100 g and Ca with 5.96 – 121.98 mg/ 100 g. The antinutrients analyzed were also found to be present in varied concentrations across the pepper genotypes. All the genotypes evaluated had values to supply sufficient vitamin A and β– carotene for daily recommendations.&nbsp

Phytochemical, proximate and anti-nutrient compositions of four leafy vegetables used in South Eastern Nigeria

Chemical constituents of plants are influenced by environmental factors and fluctuations just as many other polygenic traits. Four different green leafy vegetables commonly used in the diets of South Eastern Nigeria were analyzed with a view to determine the phytochemicals, proximate and anti-nutrient compositions of these ecotypes. The vegetables, of which three are spices, are scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum L.), fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), amaranth globe (Gongronema latifolium Benth.) and ashanti pepper (Piper guineense Schumach. and Thonn.) leaves. The preliminary phytochemical analysis indicates the presence of the phytochemicals from trace amounts to strongly present. The quantitative tests showed that O. gratissimum had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the highest tannin content of 1074.94±0.009 mg/100 g. Significant variations were observed in all the other phytochemicals except in alkaloid and phenol content. Proximate and antinutrient compositions showed significant variation in the different vegetables. T. occidentalis had highest values in ash (13.51%), crude fibre (33.52%), protein (25.49%) and phytate (8.58 mg/100 g) contents. The results obtained in this study clearly indicate that the four leafy vegetables are readily available sources of nutrients and prove the extensive use of these vegetables in ethnomedicine; and their potential in drug formulation. Keywords: Alkaloid, ethnomedicine, proximate, spice, vegetables.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(50) 4541-454

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

BackgroundThe Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling and measurement properties of the WHQ. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated using a modified, exploratory, instrumental design model.ResultsIn the qualitative phase, 10 structured interviews and six focus groups took place with a total of 47 investigators across six countries. Themes related to comprehension, response mapping, retrieval, and judgement were identified with rich cross-cultural insights. In the quantitative phase, an exploratory Rasch model was fitted to data from 537 patients (369 excluding extremes). Owing to the number of extreme (floor) values, the overall level of power was low. The single WHQ scale satisfied tests of unidimensionality, indicating validity of the ordinal total WHQ score. There was significant overall model misfit of five items (5, 9, 14, 15, 16) and local dependency in 11 item pairs. The person separation index was estimated as 0.48 suggesting weak discrimination between classes, whereas Cronbach's α was high at 0.86. Triangulation of qualitative data with the Rasch analysis supported recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ items 1 (redness), 3 (clear fluid), 7 (deep wound opening), 10 (pain), 11 (fever), 15 (antibiotics), 16 (debridement), 18 (drainage), and 19 (reoperation). Changes to three item response categories (1, not at all; 2, a little; 3, a lot) were adopted for symptom items 1 to 10, and two categories (0, no; 1, yes) for item 11 (fever).ConclusionThis study made recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ for use in global surgical research and practice, using co-produced mixed-methods data from three continents. Translations are now available for implementation into remote wound assessment pathways