Sterilization Method for Reducing Microbial Contamination and Phenolic Compounds present in Coconut (Cocos Nucifera L.) Leaf Culture

The aim of the study was to investigate efficient sterilization methods for reducing microbial contamination and phenolic compound of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) leaf culture. The non-chlorophyllous immature coconut leaves explant used were taken from unopened spear leaves tissue of the coconut seedling, from the apical growing regions close to the meristem of the palm sucker of about 15 months old. Murashige and Skoog (MS medium) supplemented with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) at concentration of 30 mg/L and 6-Benzyl amino purine (BAP) at concentration of 1.5 mg/L were used for morphologic responses. Mercuric chloride, ethanol, calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite were usedto sterilize the explants at concentrations of 0.1 %, 0.2 %, 0.3 % and 0.4 % and 70-95 % of ethanol for 5 minutes. This was followed by rinsing the explants with distilled water four successive times. The sterilized explants were inoculated on MS media and were incubated at 25±2oC in the dark. Results showed that contamination was less in the cultures, particularly in explants sterilized with 70 % ethanol. Although, all the steriliants did well, but ethanol is more preferable than the rest steriliants, in solving both problems

Efficacy of Stamina 50 (Thiocyclam hydrogenoxalate) on Coelaenomenodera elaeidis (Coleoptera – Chrysomelidae – Hispinae) in Okomu oil palm plantation, Nigeria

Efficacy of Stamina 50, Thiocyclam hydrogenoxalate was evaluated for its bio-insecticidal control on Coelaenomenodera elaeidis larvae, pupae and adult forms, at Okomu oil palm plantation, Nigeria. The experimental plot was 10.2Ha compared with similar untreated plot. Observations were made for 4 weeks after treatment, for dead leaf miner populations. Data were subjected to one way analysis of variance, independent sample T-test and testing for significant difference on the effect of insecticidal treatment on leaf miner populations. Results indicated that exposure to the insecticide at 500g per Kg induced high mortality against the leaf miner. The highest population of dead leaf miner external adult was observed one day after treatment. Total percentage mortality of leaf miner was 89.13% (treatment) and 28.40% (control) indicating effective control. Spot application of stamina 50 was selective on leaf miner and is therefore recommended as a control measure for the leaf miner in Nigeria

Human Leukocyte Antigens in Pregnancy and Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder, the pathophysiology of which includes underlying maternal cardiovascular disease, deficient spiral artery remodeling during placenta development, and inflammatory immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface. Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are major histocompatibility complex molecules essential for the recognition of foreign antigens that is central to immune defense against pathogens and critical determinants for the immune system discriminating between self and non-self tissues, such as in transplantation. Pregnancy represents a naturally existing "transplantation", where the maternal immune system must be immunologically tolerant to the developing fetus which is 50% allogeneic. It is then unsurprising that HLA also influence normal pregnancy and pregnancy complications including preeclampsia. Here we review the role of classical and non-classical HLA molecules in influencing normal physiologic function during pregnancy and describe the association of HLA with pathophysiology in preeclampsia

INFLUENCE OF MICROHABITAT TEMPERATURE ON COELAENOMENODERA ELAEIDIS AND ITS NATURAL ENEMIES IN NIGERIA

Insect infestations are expected to increase in Sub-Saharan Africa with climate change, to levels that may cause rapid changes in vegetation with concomitant changes in microclimate. Microhabitats are niches whose dimensions are smaller than those of the macrohabitats in which they occur. The physical presence of many oil palm stands leads to existence of microhabitats within the macro-environment. This study examined the direct effects of microhabitat temperature on a major pest of the oil palm, Coelaenomenodera elaeidis , its parasitoids and predatory ants. Field plots for observations of microhabitat temperature were established to run through January 2009 to December 2010 at the main station of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research in Nigeria. The C. elaeidis and microhabitat temperatures were statistically analysed. In 2009, leaf miners were significantly different in the dry season; while in 2010 the predatory ants had the highest significant (P ≤ 0.05) relationship in the rainy season. Generally, the dry season recorded greater abundance of leaf miners and predatory ants; while the rainy season recorded more of the parasitoids in both 2009 and 2010. This study has demonstrated that the oil palm ecosystem is becoming vulnerable to insect pest attack as a result of increasing temperature. We thus advocate for the strengthening of pest management systems to cope with increased threats.L’infestation par d’insectes en Afrique Sub-saharienne est supposée d’être accrue par suite du changement climatique, à des niveaux qui pourraient induire un changement rapide de la végétation avec des changements concomitants dans le microclimat. Les micro-habitats sont des niches de plus dimensions que celles des micro- habitats dans lesquels ils se produisent. La présence physique de tant de palmiers d’huile conduit à l’existence des microclimats au sein du macro-environnement. Cette étude a examiné les effets directs de la température du microclimat sur les pestes majeurs du palmier d’huile Coelaenomenodera elaeidis , ses parasitoïdes et ses fourmis prédatrices. Des parcelles en champs pour observations de la température du microclimat étaient établies au cours de Janvier 2009 à Décembre 2010 à la station principale de l’Institut de recherche sur le Palmier d’huile. Le C. elaeidis et les températures étaient statistiquement analysés. En 2009, les mineurs des feuilles étaient significativement différents dans la saison sèche, pendant que en 2010 les fourmis prédatrices étaient significativement (P≤0.05) corrélées dans la saison pluvieuse. Généralement, la saison sèche a enregistré une plus grande abondance de mineurs des feuilles et les fourmis prédatrices, pendant que la saison pluvieuse a enregistré plus de parasitoïdes en 2009 et en 2010. Cette étude a démontré que l’écosystème du palmier d’huile devient vulnérable aux pestes comme conséquence de l’augmentation de la température. Par conséquent, nous recommandons le renforcement des systèmes de gestion des pestes pour la maîtrise de ces menaces sans cesse croissantes

Insect Larva: The Culture Medium for Fungi Storage

The culture medium of Oryctes monoceros larva has nutrient composition and significant quantities of mineral elements required for fungi growth. The presence of these major mineral elements such as Na, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Fe and Cu in the larva served as growth factor. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of culture media of O. monoceros larva and potato dextrose agar (PDA) in supporting growth and sporulation of fungi. The O. monoceros larva medium best supported growth and sporulation of Ceratocystis paradoxa (3.52), Glomerella cingulata (3.15), Trichoderma harzianum (4.80), Fusarium oxysporium (4.52) and Byssochlamys nivea (3.32) while potato dextrose agar was less suitable for growth and sporulation of C. paradoxa (2.30), G. cingulata (1.83), T. harzianum (3.41), F. oxysporium (2.72) and B. nivea (2.36) in spores/ml two weeks after incubation. However, six months after incubation PDA medium best supported growth and sporulation when compared with less suitable O. monoceros depleted medium. The ability of these fungi to break down the oil content in the larva for utilization means it could probably form a base for new culture medium for fungi storage. The cost of O. monoceros is cheaper compared with PDA. In the absence of PDA, O. monoceros would be the alternative medium for fungi storage

Systemic AA Amyloidosis Associated With Intravenous Injection of Oral Prescription Opioids—An Autopsy Case Report

AbstractThere are reports of AA amyloidosis associated with intravenous and/or subcutaneous injection of street drugs, such as heroin and cocaine. Most reports describe patients with substance use disorder, renal amyloidosis and concurrent viral infections, such as hepatitis and/or human immunodeficiency virus. Herein, we present a case of systemic AA amyloidosis and sepsis in a 34-year-old woman with a history of intravenous injection of oral prescription medications (as evidenced by excipient lung disease) who had no known history of human immunodeficiency virus nor of hepatitis B or C. Our case shows the broader spectrum of pathology that can occur with the misuse of prescription medications

Experimental myocardial infarction triggers canonical Wnt signaling and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Despite available therapies, myocardial infarction (MI) remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate cardiac repair should help to improve the clinical outcome of MI patients. Using the reporter mouse line TOPGAL, we show that canonical (β-catenin-dependent) Wnt signaling is induced 4 days after experimental MI in subepicardial endothelial cells and perivascular smooth muscle actin (SMA)-positive (SMA+) cells. At 1 week after ischemic injury, a large number of canonical-Wnt-positive cells accumulated in the infarct area during granulation tissue formation. Coincidently with canonical Wnt activation, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was also triggered after MI. Using cell lineage tracing, we show that a significant portion of the canonical-Wnt-marked SMA+ mesenchymal cells is derived from endothelial cells. Canonical Wnt signaling induces mesenchymal characteristics in cultured endothelial cells, suggesting a direct role in EndMT. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that canonical Wnt activation and EndMT are molecular and cellular responses to MI and that canonical Wnt signaling activity is a characteristic property of EndMT-derived mesenchymal cells that take part in cardiac tissue repair after MI. These findings could lead to new strategies to improve the course of cardiac repair by temporal and cell-type-specific manipulation of canonical Wnt signaling