Gastroprotective Activities of the n-Hexane Fraction of Heliotropium indicum on Gastric Ulceration

Heliotropium indicum has been established to possess gastroprotective properties. We evaluated the gastroprotective properties of the non-polar (n-hexane) fraction of H. indicum to establish its anti-ulcer activities. Rats of Groups I and II received physiological saline and 80 mg/kg/body weight (bw) of Indomethacin respectively. Rats of Groups III – VI received orally 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/bw of the n – hexane fraction of methanolic extracts of dried leaves of H. indicum and 50 mg/kg/bw of Ranitidine respectively before the induction of gastric ulceration. One hour after administration of extract doses and Ranitidine, 80 mg/kg/bw of Indomethacin (an ulcerogen) was administered orally to rats of Groups III – VI. Morphological analyses show that administrations of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/bw of extract and Ranitidine resulted in percentage ulcer reductions of 45%, 50%, 75% and 95% respectively. Histological analyses of the stomach in rats of Groups II and III show erosion of mucus-secreting cells, parietal cells, gastric pit and glands. Erosion of few mucus-secreting cells, gastric pit and parietal cells were observed in rats of Group IV. Normal cytoarchitectures of the mucosa layer were observed in rats of Groups I, V and VI. Our findings show that the n-hexane fraction of H. indicum possessed gastroprotective properties.Keywords: Heliotropium indicum, Indomethacin, Ulceration

Impact of upstream industrial effluents on irrigation water quality, soils and plant in Alakia Area of Ibadan

Knowledge of irrigation water quality is critical to predicting, managing and reducing salt affect on soils. The study assessed the effect of industrial effluents on irrigation water quality, soils and plant tissues in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. The degree of pollution was evaluated using Sodium adsorption ratio, pH, cations – Cl and NO3 and 4 heavy metals including Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn using standard procedures. The study established the presence of High pH (pH= 6.65) that caused high alkalinity leading to high SAR of 11.1 which is as a result of calcium and magnesium ions forming insoluble minerals leaving sodium as the dominant ion in solution. Presence of heavy metals in concentration higher than the recommended limits in irrigation water samples analyzed with Cd (0.05 ppm), Cu (0.3 ppm), Pb (0.03 ppm) and Zn (4.0 ppm) in the study location. It was concluded that Eleshin stream and the surrounding ground water is fit for irrigation in relation to sodium hazard, although it is acidic, thus enhancing leaching and corrosive tendencies of the irrigation water. High level of heavy metals in the soil indicated contamination from the effluent from the factories in the area. Plant sampled indicated the presence of higher level of Pb and Cd in the tissues of leaf and roots than that of the reference samples.Keywords: Pollution, discharge, effluent, irrigation, SAR, heavy metal

Impact of Climate Change in Nigeria

Climate change is an adverse environmental phenomenon that is causing enormous concern all over the world. It refers to some anomalies in the climate system that is a result of human activities. These anomalies include increase in the concentration of GHGs, HFCs and CFCs in earth’s atmosphere, which will ultimately leadto global warming. In fact, global warming has already begun, as earth’s temperature has risen between 0.4 and 0.8°C in the last 100 years. Nigeria is one of the world’s most densely populated countries with a population of 180 million people, half of which are considered to be in abject poverty. Nigeria is recognized as beingvulnerable to climate change. Climate change and global warming if left unchecked will cause adverse effects on livelihoods in Nigeria, such as crop production, livestock production, fisheries, forestry and post-harvest activities, because the rainfall regimes and patterns will be altered, floods which devastate farmlands wouldoccur, increase in temperature and humidity which increases pest and disease would occur and other natural disasters like floods, ocean and storm surges, which not only damage Nigerians’ livelihood but also cause harm to life and property, would occur. The paper provides a strong starting point and a useful guide for furtherinvestigations and solution finding projects, both at the local and international levels which focus on more specific issues like public health, food security, energy, adaptations and barriers to them

Haematological indices of ISA brown birds fed diets containing Guinea hen weed (Petiveria alliacea) leaf and root meals

Haematological indices of ISA brown grower birds fed diets incorporated with Petiveria alliacea leaf meal (PLM) and Petiveria alliacea root meal (PRM) were investigated in a 21-weeks trial. A total of 450 birds were divided into ten treatments groups of forty-five birds with three replicate of fifteen birds. The diets contained PLM and PRM at five levels of inclusion; (0, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 mg/kg). The experiment was arranged in a 2 × 5 factorial layout in a completely randomized design (CRD). Amidst varying inclusion of PLM and PRM, birds fed diets containing 1500 mg/kg of PLM showed decreased (P<0.05) PCV. Birds fed diets containing 1500 and 2500 mg/kg of PLM reduced (P<0.05) RBC in comparison to other inclusion levels of plant parts. When compared to birds fed varying inclusion of PLM and PRM; least (P<0.05) WBC were obtained in birds fed diets containing 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of PRM. In conclusion, addition of Petiveria leaf and root meal affected haematology indices as values obtained fell within normal range for healthy birds

Assessment of the Performance of Osmotically Driven Polymeric Membrane Processes

The universal water scarceness and the extensive ordeals with energy cost in conjunction with the undesirable ecological effects have advanced the improvement of novel osmotically driven membrane processes. Membrane processes which are osmotically driven are developing type of membrane separation procedures that apply concentrated brines to separate liquid streams. They are adaptable in various applications; hence, allow them to be an attractive substitute for drug release, wastewater treatment and the production and recovery of energy. Although, internal concentration polarization (ICP) occurs in membrane practises which are osmotically driven as a consequence of hindered diffusion of solute in a porous stratum, their interest has even increased. Here we review two natural membrane processes that are osmotically driven; Forward osmosis (FO) and Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO). Thus, the major points are as follows: 1) it was highlighted in this review, that the major developments in FO process, important for the process efficiency is to choose a suitable membrane and draw solution. 2) The recent evaluation, understanding and optimizing the activities of fouling throughout the osmotic dilution of seawater employing FO was discussed. 3) Recent advancements of FO in the application of food processing was reviewed. 4) It was highlighted that the main concept of PRO for power generation is the energy of mixing that offers great assessment of the nonexpansion work which could be generated from mixing; nonetheless, the development of effective membranes with appropriate arrangement and performance is needed for the advancement of PRO process for power generation. 5) One major challenge of osmotically driven membrane processes, most recent developments and model development to predict their performances were discussed

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Corrosion Inhibitive Effects of Siam Weed Extract on Mild Steel in 1M H2SO4 Medium

Corrosion inhibitive effects of Siam weed extract on A36 mild steel in 1M H2SO4 medium was investigated at two corrosion reaction of 278 and 320K. Better inhibitive performance of the Siam weed extract was noticed at 278K. The results of the gravimetric tests revealed that the Siam weed extract was a good corrosion inhibitor for the mild steel with Langmuir adsorption isotherm mechanism, spontaneous and physiosorption in nature

Influence of cassava planting patterns and pruning methods on crop yield in a cassava-based cropping system

Field experiments were conducted at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria on the effect of cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) planting pattern and pruning methods on cassava yield and yield of associated crops, namely, maize ( Zea mays L.), melon ( Colocynthis vulgaris L.) and cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ) in a cassava-based cropping system. Cassava planting patterns had significant effects on maize and melon yield in the 1995 but had no effects in 1996. Cowpea yield values under triangular planting pattern were 15 and 19% higher than regular planting pattern in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Its yield components differed only slightly under the two planting patterns. Number of cassava tubers and tuber weight plant-1 were superior under triangular planting pattern to regular planting pattern. The overall yield of cassava was, however, higher under regular planting pattern than triangular planting. The least cowpea yield and yield components were recorded under unpruned cassava. Yield and yield components of cassava reduced when pruned irrespective of the type of pruning method.Des expériences de champs étaient conduites à l&apos;Université d&apos;Ibadan-Nigeria sur les effets de la façon de planter et de l&apos;élagage du manioc ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) sur son rendement et le rendement des plantes associées, notamment, le maïs ( Zea mays L.), le melon ( Colocynthis vulgaris L.) et le niébé ( Vigna unguiculata ) dans un système de culture basé sur le manioc. La façon de planter le manioc avait un effet significatif sur le rendement du maïs et du melon en 1995 mais pas en 1996. Les valeurs du rendement du niébé en arrangement triangulaire étaient 15 et 19% plus élévées que celles obtenues par arrangement régulier en 1995 et 1996 ; respectivement. Les composantes du rendement diffèrent très légèrement sous les deux arrangements. Le nombre de tubes de manioc et le poids de tube par plante étaient supérieurs dans l&apos;arrangement triangulaire par rapport à l&apos;arrangement régulier. Le rendement du manioc était, cependant, élévé sous l&apos;arrangement régulier par rapport à l&apos;arrangement triangulaire. Le rendement le plus faible du niébé et des ses composantes étaient enregistrés sous le manioc dont l&apos;élagage n&apos;a pas été pratiqué. Le rendement et les composantes du rendement du manioc étaient réduits quand l&apos;élagage était pratiqué

Phytochemical Screening and Proximate Analysis of Newbouldia laevis and Allium sativum

The study was conducted to assess the phytochemical and proximate composition of Newboudia laevis leaves and Allium sativum bulb extracts. The leaves and bulbs extracts were analyzed for their chemical composition and antinutritional factors (ANFs) which include moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, total ash, carbohydrate fractions (CHO), metabolisable energy   (ME),neutral detergent fiber (NDF)and phytochemicals. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids,   terpenoids, tannin, alkaloids, phytic acid, trypsin inhibitor, phenols, antioxidants, carotenoids, oxalate and cyanide in the plant and bulb extracts.The percentages of flavonoid, terpenoid, tannin, alkaloid, phytic acid, trypsin inhibitor, phenol, antioxidants,  carotenoid, oxalate and cyanide in the Newbouldia laevis were 0.15, 2.29, 392, 2.51, 2.96, 29.20, 2.86, 1.63, 624, 0.44 and  0.01mg/100g respectively, while that of the Allium sativum were 0.04, 0.07, 7.0, 4.59, 27.80, 0.25, 0.041, 0.23, 11.40, 9.02 and 0.685mg/100g, respectively. The percentage composition of moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, NFE, ME and NDF for Newbouldialaevis were 55%, 5.68%, 5.61%, 10.54%, 2.15%, 21.02%, 1626.80kcal/kg and 20.22%, while Allium   sativum had 82%, 4.63%, 0%, 6.72%, 5.66%, 0.99%, 320.25kcal/kg and 0%, respectively.Therefore, it can be concluded that Newbouldialaevis leaves and Allium sativum bulbs contain bioactive  substances beneficial to animals with antinutrient   concentrations below the critical levels hence not deleterious to ruminant animals.Keywords: Phytochemical, Newbouldia levis and Allium sativu

Anticorrosion properties and thin film composite deposition of Zn-SiC-Cr3C2 coating on mild steel

This work considered the influence of Cr3C2 particle loading on microstructure and mechanical properties of Zn-SiC-Cr3C2 nanocomposite produced via electrocodeposition are investigated. The surface nature of the nanocomposite coatings were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with the energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Abrasive wear behaviour and hardness property of Zn-SiC-Cr3C2 nanocomposite produced were investigated using CERT UMT-2 multi-functional tribological tester and Dura Scan hardness tester. The corrosion property was evaluated through linear polarization approach. The result showed that the coatings exhibited good stability and Cr3C2 nanocomposite loading significantly improved the microstructural performance, hardness property, wear resistance as well as corrosion resistance of the coatings. Keywords: Zn-SiC-Cr3C2, Electrodeposition, Coatings, Corrosion resistance, Hardnes