Comparative Evaluation of Fodder Yield and Leaf Quality of Some Selected Tree Species

Abstract Tropical trees had served a wide range of purpose from supply of timber, fuel wood, pulp and fibre through to fodder, gum, drugs, and dyes. This study considered the fodder yield and leaf quality of three fodder tree species namely: Moringa oleifera, Albizia lebbeck and Gmelina arborea at seedling stage. The experiment was carried out in polythene pot laid out in a completely randomized design with ten replications. Study spanned over a period of twelve weeks. Seedlings were assessed for plant height, number of leaves and stem diameter. Leaf quality parameters assessed were elemental nutrient and proximate composition. Results obtained from the study showed that Moringa oleifera gave the highest mean plant height and mean stem diameter of 30.93cm and 3.52mm respectively while Gmelina arborea recorded the highest mean number of leaves (8.10) over the study period. Leaf quality analysis revealed that Albizia lebbeck leaves were richest in potassium and copper with values of 5.53% and 24.23mg/g respectively. Moringa oleifera was least in potassium content (4.55%). Proximate analysis result indicated that Moringa oleifera had the highest crude protein content of 17.88% while Albizia lebbeck was best in crude fibre content (2.00%). All three tree species recorded no significant difference in dry matter content of 45.08%, 45.00% and 45.63% respectively. These tree species should be encouraged within the farming system of farmer to aid animal production

Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metals in Soil and Plant in a Quarry Site in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract The study assessed the concentration of heavy metals in soil and plants around a quarry site in Southwestern Nigeria. Sample plots were established in a systematic method along a line transect at increasing distance o

Antibacterial Efficacy of Thymus vulgaris Essential Oil Against Extended- Spectrum Beta-Lactamase- Producing Escherichia coli in Urinary Tract Infections

The rate at which the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) is being disseminated among bacteria have become a serious issue of health concern globally due to the resistance it confers to most of the classes of antimicrobial which makes treatment options increasingly difficult. This study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of Thymus vulgaris (thyme) essential oil against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infections (UTIs) at the state hospital Ijaiye and Federal Medical Center Idi-aba, both in Abeokuta, Ogun State. A total of 229 urine isolates were collected and cultured on eosin methylene blue (EMB) agar, identified biochemically according standard procedures. Ten antibiotics belonging to five classes of antibacterial agents including 4 fluoroquinolones, 3 beta-lactam, sulfonamide, chloramphenicol, and aminoglycoside were tested on the isolates. ESBLs were determined using double-disk synergy method. Essential oil from T. vulgaris was obtained by hydrodistillation using Clevenger apparatus and dehydrated with anhydrous sodium sulfate salt. Antibacterial effect of the oil was determined using agar well diffusion. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were also determined following the double fold dilution method. The rate of kill by the oil on isolates was also determined. The physicochemical property of the oil was evaluated using gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS), while molecular docking was carried out on the components of the oil. One hundred and fifty-nine isolates were positive for E. coli; high resistance was recorded against ceftazidime (92.4%), amoxicillin (84.9%), ampicillin (76.7%), gentamicin (74.2%), and Septrin (61.6%) and least resistance was recorded against chloramphenicol (16.4%). Out of 109 isolates, 30 were identified as ESBL producers. The zones of inhibition of the essential oil T. vulgaris was 16.0 ± 0.0 to 26.0 ± 0.0 mm. MIC and MBC values ranged from 0.0024 to 0.195 mg/ml and 0.42 to 0.375 mg/ml, respectively. Time-kill kinetics showed a continuous decrease in cell number as the time of exposure of the oil to the organism increases. GC-MS analysis of the oil showed high concentration thymol (41.33%) and p-cymene (18.08%). Molecular docking revealed that T-cadinol, gamma-terpinene, and β-terpene are druggable. The study suggests that Thymus vulgaris essential oil used has promising antibacterial activity against the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli from UTI

Non-random distribution of deleterious mutations in the DNA and protein-binding domains of IRF6 are associated with Van Der Woude syndrome

Background: The development of the face occurs during the early days of intrauterine life by the formation of facial processes from the first Pharyngeal arch. Derangement in these well-organized fusion events results in Orofacial clefts (OFC). Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) is one of the most common causes of syndromic cleft lip and/or palate accounting for 2% of all cases. Mutations in the IRF6 gene account for 70% of cases with the majority of these mutations located in the DNA-binding (exon 3, 4) or protein-binding domains (exon 7-9). The current study was designed to update the list of IRF6 variants reported for VWS by compiling all the published mutations from 2013 to date as well as including the previously unreported VWS cases from Africa and Puerto Rico.Methods: We used PubMed with the search terms; "Van der Woude syndrome," "Popliteal pterygium syndrome," "IRF6," and "Orofacial cleft" to identify eligible studies. We compiled the CADD score for all the mutations to determine the percentage of deleterious variants.Results: Twenty-one new mutations were identified from nine papers. The majority of these mutations were in exon 4. Mutations in exon 3 and 4 had CADD scores between 20 and 30 and mutations in exon 7-9 had CADD scores between 30 and 40. The presence of higher CADD scores in the protein-binding domain (exon 7-9) further confirms the crucial role played by this domain in the function of IRF6. In the new cases, we identified five IRF6 mutations, three novel missense mutations (p.Phe36Tyr, p.Lys109Thr, and p.Gln438Leu), and two previously reported nonsense mutations (p.Ser424*and p.Arg250*).Conclusion: Mutations in the protein and DNA-binding domains of IRF6 ranked among the top 0.1% and 1% most deleterious genetic mutations, respectively. Overall, these findings expand the range of VWS mutations and are important for diagnostic and counseling purposes.</p

Soil Fertility Status under Different Tree Cropping System in a Southwestern Zone of Nigeria

Tree cropping has been known to bring about changes in edaphic component among other components of the ecosystem through their interactions with the soil and soil faunas. Premised on this, this study assessed the effects of sole cropping of teak and intercropping of cocoa and kola on the soil fertility status. The study was carried out using stratified-randomed sampling technique for the study plots in all the sampling sites. Three sampling sites consisting of four (4)-4oo m2 sampling plots each were established in which vegetation and some soil parameters were assessed. Results analysis showed that the synergistic interaction of leaves decomposition of cocoa and kola improved the organic matter content of the soil under the cocoa/kola site. Considerable improvement in soil fertility was enjoyed in the cocoa/kola site due to the large girth sizes and basal area of trees present in the cocoa/kola site while soil under the sole cropping of teak was impoverished. The degradation effects was due to the high rate of nutrient uptake of the teak, organic matter content was high in the forest site (9.12%) and cocoa/kola site (7.34) while the least was in the teak site (3.04%). A very strong correlation existed between organic matter content and some vegetation parameters

Design and construction of a resistivity meter for shallow investigation

The cost of brand new resistivity meters (Scintrex, Bison, ABEM) has gone up astronomically. Consequently many institutions that need this equipment for teaching and research purposes cannot afford the price. This predicament compelled the authors to look for electronic components that are available in local markets and shops to fabricate this meter. This simple resistivity meter was then designed and constructed using components purchased locally. It measures current and voltage separately. The resistance is then computed from these readings. A comparison test was conducted with this meter using the ABEM Terrameter SAS 300 as the standard meter. The field testing exercise was conducted on an open field with a flat terrain. The results / data from the two instruments are very comparable; almost the same for a spread of /= 100m. Beyond this spread, the difference in readings is much. Hence, the use of this system is limited to shallow investigations where the target depth is not more than fifty metres (50m). Efforts are being made to improve on its performance. Keywords: Design and construction, resistivity meter and field testing. Nigerian Journal of Physics Vol. 18 (2) 2006: pp. 261-27

The role of Vesiculararbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi in alley cropping

Alley cropping trials were conducted on different parts (top, middle and base) of a sloping land to compare the effects of inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi on Senna siamea, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala and cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) intercrop on an Alfisol in subhumid southwestern Nigeria. The above ground biomass yield of hedgerow trees one year after establishment was higher at the base than at the top of the slope, bur was not influenced by VAM inoculation at the top of base of the slope. At the middle of the slope, VAM inoculation significantly increased leaf biomass of the hedgerows without influencing their stem biomass. The root yield of alley-cropped cassava at the top and middle of the slope was not affected by VAM Inoculation. Inoculation significantly increased the P and N uptake of the hedgerows in all treatments, and fresh tuber yield of cassava only at the base of the slope