MECHANISM FOR POLLINATION IN AFRICAN YAM BEAN

African yam bean (AYB) ( Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst Ex. A. Rich) Harms is a neglected and underutilised legume in tropical Africa. Its utilisation has been hampered by the presence of anti-nutritional factors and lack of improved varieties. The objective of this study was to investigate pollination and determine the rates of selfing and outcrossing in the species. Accession TSs5 had the highest fruit set (63.16%) in the open-pollinated breeding method; while AYB50 had the lowest value (46.61%). Seed set in the selfed accessions ranged from 91.45% (AYB50) to 94.97% (TSs66). Fruit set was highest in the open-pollinated breeding method, with a mean average fruit set of 51.32%. Significant differences (P < 0.01) were obtained in fruit set from accessions isolated with net bags which had the lowest seed set (88.91%) Seed set was highest (92.92%) in the selfed accessions. The self incompatibility index ranged from 1.33 to 2.26 and the rate of fruit set from artificial self-pollination was greater than 30% in the field, and the screen house showing that the species is highly self compatible. Selfing and outcrossing rates of 91.38 and 8.62% showed that S. stenocarpa is not an obligate selfer. AYB sets fruits and seeds when open pollinated, isolated, selfed or crossed with other accessions.La l\ue9gumineuse igname de l\u2019Afrique (AYB) ( Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst Ex. A. Rich) Harms est une l\ue9gumineuse n\ue9glig\ue9e et sous utilis\ue9e en Afrique tropicale. Sa teneur en substances toxique et le manque de vari\ue9t\ue9s am\ue9lior\ue9es constituent un frein pour son utilisation massive. Il a \ue9t\ue9 ici question d\u2019\ue9tudier sa pollinisation et de d\ue9terminer les taux de pollinisation crois\ue9e et auto-pollinisation dans l\u2019esp\ue9ce. L\u2019accession TSs5 avait le nombre de gousses le plus \ue9lev\ue9 (63,16%) sous pollinisation ouverte, tandis que l\u2019accession AYB50 a exhib\ue9 la valeur la plus faible (46,61%). Les nombres de gousses sous auto pollinisation variaient de 91,45% (AYB50) \ue0 94,97% (TSs66). Ce nombre \ue9tait plus \ue9lev\ue9 sous pollinisation ouverte, avec une moyenne de 51,32%. Des differences significatives (P < 0.01) ont \ue9t\ue9 observ\ue9es dans les nombres de gousses chez les accessions prot\ue9g\ue9es par des filets et qui avaient les plus faibles nombres de grains (88,91%). Le nombre de grains le plus \ue9lev\ue9 (92,92%) \ue9tait observ\ue9 par auto pollinisation. L\u2019indice de d\u2019auto incompatibilit\ue9 \ue9tait de 1,33 \ue0 2,26 et le taux de fructification chez les plantes artificiellement auto pollinis\ue9es \ue9tait sup\ue9rieur \ue0 30% dans le champs, et en serre, indiquant ainsi que l\u2019esp\ue8ce est hautement auto compatible. Les taux d\u2019auto pollinisation 91,38 et de pollinisation crois\ue9e 8,62% montrent que l\u2019auto pollinisation chez S. stenocarpa n\u2019est pas obligatoire. AYB produit des gousses et graines sous toutes forms de pollinisation

Performance characteristics, nutrient digestibility and blood profile of rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of Moringa oleifera seed powder

A ten-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the performance, nutrient digestibility and blood profile of rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of Moringa oleifera seed powder (MSP). Twenty-four male growing rabbits of mixed breeds were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments. Each treatment group was further sub-divided into three (3) replicates of two (2) rabbits each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Four diets were formulated to include MSP at varying inclusion levels of 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% for treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively, which were pelletized. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum. Data were collected on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of rabbits fed the experimental diet while at the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to determine the effect of different inclusion levels of MSP on haematological and serum biochemical indices of rabbits. Result revealed that the average daily feed intake (68.76-78.93g) decreased significantly (p<0.05) across the dietary treatments as the MSP inclusion levels increased but a rise was noticed at the highest inclusion level of MSP (T4). The weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not significantly influenced (p >0.05) by the dietary treatments. No significant differences (P>0.05) among treatments were observed on all the blood profile except the lymphocyte, monocytes, total protein and globulin. Rabbits on T4 recorded the highest values in total protein (6.91 g/dl) and globulin (3.03 g/dl). Digestibility studies however showed that all the parameters were significantly affected (p<0.05) by dietary treatments in which rabbits on T2 had the highest dry matter (82.03%), crude protein (62.23%) and ash (89.48%) digestibility values. It can be concluded that Moringa oleifera seed powder (MSP) can be supplemented in growing rabbit’s diet without any deleterious effects on performance, blood profile and nutrient digestibility.Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Performance, Blood profile, Nutrient digestibility, Rabbit

Biological Resolution of Virulence Genes of Salmonella Species from different Microbiomes

The pathogenic promiscuity of virulence associated macromolecules in Salmonella infection is a key driver to their wide epidemiology and curtailing  such distribution is contingent upon proper clarification of these virulence genes. This study was therefore aimed at determining the virulence  genes of Salmonella species from different microbiomes. To achieve this, a total of three hundred (300) biological specimens were aseptically  collected and processed for Salmonella presence using the BAM USFDA technique prior to their genotypic characterization while virulence gene  detection was carried out in a primer specific polymerase chain reaction. Results obtained depict the distribution of the following Salmonella species  viz; Salmonella gallinarum 19(26.39%), Salmonella heidelberg 19(26.39%), Salmonella enteritidis 18(25%) and Salmonella typhimurium  16(22.22%) while the occurrence of the virulence genes (InvA, SopE, AgfA and SpvC) were Salmonella enteritidis ( 7(38.8), 6(33.3), 9(50), 3(16.7),  Salmonella typhimurium ( 5(26.3), 3(15.8), 2(10.5), 7(36.8)), Salmonella heidelberg (0(0), 8(50), 4(25), 4(25), and Salmonella gallinarum (12(63.2),  6(31.6), 2(10.5), 7(36.8)) respectively. It was however found that the different microbiomes analyzed were ubiquitously rich in virulence genes  associated Salmonella species.   La promiscuité pathogène des macromolécules associées à la virulence dans l’infection à Salmonella est un facteur clé de leur large épidémiologie  et la réduction de cette distribution dépend de la clarification appropriée de ces gènes de virulence. Cette étude visait donc à déterminer les gènes  de virulence des espèces de Salmonella de différents microbiomes. Pour ce faire, un total de trois cents (300) échantillons biologiques ont été  collectés et traités de manière aseptique pour la présence de Salmonella à l’aide de la technique BAM USFDA avant leur caractérisation génotypique  tandis que la détection du gène de virulence a été effectuée dans une réaction en chaîne par polymérase spécifique à l’amorce. Les résultats  obtenus décrivent la distribution des espèces de Salmonella suivantes, à savoir ; Salmonella gallinarum 19(26,39%), Salmonella heidelberg  19(26,39%), Salmonella enteritidis 18(25%) et Salmonella typhimurium 16(22,22%) alors que la présence des gènes de virulence (InvA, SopE, AgfA et  SpvC) était Salmonella enteritidis ( 7(38,8), 6(33,3), 9(50), 3(16,7), Salmonella typhimurium ( 5(26,3), 3(15,8), 2(10,5), 7(36,8)), Salmonella heidelberg (0(  0), 8(50), 4(25), 4(25) et Salmonella gallinarum (12(63.2), 6(31.6), 2(10.5), 7(36.8)) respectivement. différents microbiomes analysés étaient  ubiquitairement riches en gènes de virulence associés aux espèces de Salmonella  &nbsp

Parental Knowledge and Attitude of Adolescent Sexuality Education in Rural and Urban Communities of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Background: Parents play a key role in shaping the attitudes and behaviour of adolescents, thereby reducing risky sexual behaviour and promoting healthy sexual development. This study assessed and compared parental knowledge and attitude towards adolescent sexuality education (ASE) in rural and urban communities of Ekiti State, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study of 800 parents (or guardians) of adolescents in selected rural and urban communities, recruited through a multi-stage sampling technique. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.Result: A significantly higher proportion of parents from the urban communities had a good knowledge of ASE (72.5% versus 66.0%, p-value 0.046). However, knowledge of safe sex and dating was low in both communities. About three-quarters of the respondents had a positive attitude towards ASE with no statistically significant difference in both rural and urban communities (p-value: 0.363).Conclusion: Parental knowledge of ASE is high in Ekiti State, and it is higher in the urban compared to the rural communities. Attitude towards ASE is high in both communities but not significantly different. However, the knowledge of the various components of ASE varies significantly amongst the communities. While it is recommended that government should create a supportive environment to assist parents in their roles as sexuality educators, parents should see sexuality education as their responsibility and also start the discussion early

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Comparación de la termometría digital infrarroja y electrónica en pollos de engorde

Se utilizaron datos de la temperatura corporal (BT) obtenidos de 150 pollos de engorde no envejecidos de 28 d de edad para comparar la exactitud de los diferentes termómetros. Se utilizaron simultáneamente termómetros digitales electrónicos (ED) e infrarrojos (IR) para medir BT. La termometría de ED se realizó a través del recto (TEMPd) mientras que el termómetro IR se usó en la apertura del recto (TEMPiR), la frente (TEMPiH) y bajo las alas (TEMPiW). Los datos se sometieron a análisis de correlación de ANOVA y Pearson. Diagramas de dispersión se representaron para generar R2 para las relaciones entre las lecturas del termómetro. El tipo de termómetro tuvo un efecto significativo (P 0,001) a TEMPiW, pero el dúo fue significativamente mayor que TEMPiR y TEMPiH. TEMPiH no fue significativamente diferente de la de la apertura del recto. Existe correlación positiva entre TEMPd y TEMPiW (r = 0.327) mientras que la correlación entre TEMPd y TEMPiH es negativa (r = -0.250). TEMPiR no tuvo correlación significativa (P> 0,05) con TEMPd (r = 0,061). Regresión lineal de TEMPd con TEMPiR, TEMPiH y TEMPiW rindió R2 valores de 0,003, 0,062 y 0,106, respectivamente. Las desviaciones de TEMPd obtenidas fueron de 3,63, 3,79 y -0,12oC para TEMPiR, TEMPiH y TEMPiW, respectivamente. TEMPiR y TEMPiH en pollos de engorde no produjeron lecturas similares en comparación con los termómetros ED. La termometría con IR debajo de las alas dio una lectura más cercana con el termómetro ED. La precisión del termómetro IR en los pollos de engorde depende del punto en la superficie del cuerpo del que se toma la lectura. Las lecturas con IR debajo de las alas imitan la temperatura corporal central

Comparative effects of explant source and genotype on in vitro tuberization in Dioscorea alata and D. rotundata

Single node cuttings of two genotypes each of Dioscorea alata and D. rotundata from both plants grown in screen houses and in vitro plantlets were cultured in a tuberization medium. The screen house explants had significantly higher plantlet tuberization and primary nodal complex formation, and more tubers and primary nodal complexes per plantlet than in vitro explants, whereas in vitro explants performed better only in nodes per plantlet. It appears that in vitro tuberization is explant‐, species‐ and genotype‐dependent, the greatest variation being due to explant source. This is a first report of microtuber production from nodal explants of D. rotundata produced in a screen house

Obesity prevalence in adult residents of ile-ife, nigeria

Background and Purpose: Few data on obesity exist on Sub-Sahara population in Africa. This study investigated the prevalence of obesity and Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile and quartiles in accordance with sex and age in adult residents of the historic ancient semi-urban communityof Ile-Ife, South-West, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: 2097 adults aged 21 years and above were recruited into the door-to-door survey through a multi-stage cluster sampling technique. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria based on BMI was used in the definition of overweight and obesity. Height and weight were measured using standardized procedures.Results: The mean age and BMI of the participants were 44.2 years and 24.2 Kg/m2 respectively. Although agematched; the females had higher BMI values compared to males (23.8 vs. 24.5 Kg/m2). The overall crude prevalence of overweight (25.0-29.9 Kg/m2) and obesity (>30 Kg/m2) were 20.3% and 12.5% respectively. The rates of overweight (17.9 vs. 22.1 Kg/m2) and obesity (9.7 vs. 14.5 Kg/m2) were both higher in women than men. Obesity increased across age gradient from young to old adults; peaking in the 60-69- year age group. The first to fourth BMI quartiles were = 20.4 Kg/m2, 20.5-24.1 Kg/m2, 24.2-25.2 Kg/m2, = 25.3 Kg/m2respectively in the study population. At all ages; more females (32.4%) than males (24.7%) were placed within fourth BMI quartile. The 95th percentile BMI in the study population was 33.4Kg/m2.Conclusion: Overweight and obesity are common in Nigerians, particular among females and elderly. The prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity in Nigerians is comparable with prevalence among Blacks in otherpopulations. Keywords: Overweight, Obesity, Prevalence, Pattern, Sub Saharan Africa, Ile-Ife, Nigeria