Effects of mutant cytoplasmic factors on the expression of agronomic traits in cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Nuclear genes have to a large extent been exploited in genetic cowpea improvement, but little is known about the effects of cytoplasmic mutations on agronomic traits. This study investigated the effect of cytoplasmic factors agronomic traits in crosses between two cytoplasmic mutants and some nuclear cowpea lines. The experiment was conducted at Department of Crop Protection Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan. A yellow variant derived from the sorting-out of mutant plastids of mixed cells lineage (IB-Y-Cyt.) was crossed to four normal green lines and a variegated mutant in all possible combinations. F1 and reciprocal-F1 progenies from the crosses and six generations comprising parents, F1, F2 and their reciprocals from four selected crosses were evaluated in pots using Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates. Data were collected on the following quantitative traits; days to flowering and ripe pod, pod length and seed traits. Data were analyzed using t-test and correlation coefficient analysis. Crosses involving the cytoplasmic mutants as female parents had negative effects on most of the traits studied. The mutant cytoplasms had negative effects on traits affecting the productive capacity of the plants as well as related traits in the F1 generation, these effects in turn transcend to most of the quantitative traits leading to poor seed formation especially in the yellow cytoplasmic mutant.Keywords: Cytoplasmic mutation, Agronomic traits, Cowpea, Uniparental, Reciprocal difference

INHERITANCE PATTERN OF YELLOW FOLIAGE COLOUR AND ACTIVITIES OF TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENT IN COWPEA Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp

Foliage colour may affect the photosynthetic activities of a plant and consequently yield.  Differences in the green foliage colour of plants often reflect differences in chlorophyll concentration of the leaves. This study investigated the inheritance pattern of a yellow foliage mutant in cowpea. Seeds of a nuclear yellow foliage mutant and three green foliage cowpea lines were planted in plastic buckets filled with garden soil on the roof top garden of Department of crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria and crossed to produce six generations per cross comprising parents, F1, F2 and BC. The various generations were and on the field at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and data were collected on phenotypic traits. The nuclear yellow foliage mutant segregated in the ratio 3green:1yellow, thus indicating that the trait was controlled by monogenic recessive gene. Some F2 and BC plants of the yellow foliage mutant exhibited variegation for leaf colour indicating gene instability resulting from the action of transposable element. The frequencies of reversion from the yellow to green of F3 progenies vary widely within and between progeny rows. Of a total of 309 individual plants that were scored, 55% were variegated, 23% were green while 22% exhibited the yellow phenotype. The gene symbol yfc-3 was assigned to the recessive condition, while yfc-3un was assigned to the unstable allele of yellow foliage

Analysis of genetic linkage in the cowpea vigna unguiculata

Genetic analysis of 12 loci conditioning morphological characteristics indicated several linkages in cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp). Using both backcross and F2 joint segregation data, these 12 loci were assigned to five linkage groups. The loci Pg for nodal pigmentation, Pf for purple flower, Pc for smooth seed coat, Na for narrow eye, and Br for brown seed coat make up linkage group 1 with the probable order Pg-Na-BrP-cPf The Bpd locus for branching peduncle was linked to Bp for brown dry pod and Dhp for pod dehiscence with the probable order Bpd-Bp-Dhp. The third linkage group consisted of loci Crl for crinkled leaf and Pt for sessile leaf Hastate leaf shape, Ha, and septafoliolate leaf number, Spt, belong to the fourth and fifth linkage groups, respectively

The association between alcohol consumption and high risk sexual behaviour in the South African adult population.

MMed, Epidemiology and Biostatistics,University of the Witwatersrand, 2009Background: South Africa is one of the countries with the highest Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevalence in the world. The main mode of transmission in South Africa is via heterosexual intercourse. Thus there is the need to identify factors associated with HIV high risk sexual behaviour to inform future intervention programmes. Objective: To determine the association between alcohol consumption and high risk sexual behaviour in South African adults in 2006. Methods: Secondary data analysis of cross sectional study involving 1544 adult males and females, between 16-65 years interviewed in the Soul City National Survey. A multi-stage, stratified and clustered probability sampling technique was used. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done using student t test, chi square test and logistic regression models. Results: The prevalence of alcohol consumption in the week prior to the survey was 24.4% (95%CI: 22.2-26.6). The prevalence of heavy episodic drinking in last one month was 17.5% (95%CI: 15.5-19.4). There was an association between broad socioeconomic conditions and sexual behaviour particularly age, sex and race (P<0.05). The mean age at sexual debut was 17.13 (SD 2.61) years in the males and 17.91 (2.45 SD) years in females (P<0.001). Of the sexually active respondents, 12.7% and 4.2% of the men and women respectively had multiple partners currently (P<0.001). Generally consistent condom use was more in men although, only 10.3% of the men and 5.6% of the women used the condoms consistently with their casual partners (P=0.28). Multivariate regression showed that alcohol use predicted having multiple partners (AOR 2.37; 95%CI 1.19-4.69 and AOR 4.15; 95%CI 1.37-11.97) for moderate and problem drinkers respectively. Also, heavy episodic drinking predicted having multiple partners by three times (AOR 3.21; 95%CI 1.69-6.39). There was a significant dose response relationship for having multiple partners (P<0.05). As regards unprotected sexual intercourse, although not significant, female drinkers were found to be protected from inconsistent condom use with a casual partner. Male drinkers on the other hand, were found to be at a higher risk of having unprotected sex with casual partners. Perceptions of susceptibility to HIV (AOR 0.31; 95%CI 0.17-0.56), and alcohol related harm (AOR 0.17; 95%CI; 0.22-0.71) influenced consistent condom use with casual partners. Also regards gender differences, women who drank alcohol (AOR 9.68; 95%CI 1.31-17.45 vs. 1.17; 0.28-4.89) or were heavy episodic drinkers (AOR 4.45; 95%CI 1.46-3.55 vs. 2.43; 1.03-5.92) had a higher probability of having multiple partners than men. Conclusion: There is a strong association between risky alcohol use and high risk sexual behaviours. HIV prevention programmes need to address reduction in alcohol intake and changes in drinking pattern. Further research to disentangle the relationship between condom use and alcohol use is needed

Experience of gender-based violence to students in public and private secondary schools in Ilorin, Nigeria

Objective: To determine and compare prevalence of Gender based Violence (GBV) in public and private secondary schools students and to identify factors associated with experience of GBV by the students.Design: Comparative cross-sectional survey of using a 60 item self-administered questionnaire.Setting: Ten public and private secondary schools in Ilorin South Local Government area of Kwara State.Participants: 640 students, (320 each) from public and private schools.Main outcome variable: Prevalence and factors influencing experience of physical, sexual and psychological violenceResults: At least one form of GBV was experienced by 89.1% of public and 84.8% private schools students(p=0.32). Psychological violence was commonest type of GBV experienced (Public -72.5% vs. Private - 69.2%;p=0.37), while sexual violence was least (Public -41.4% vs. Private - 37.4%; p=0.3). Females were less likely toexperience physical violence (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.2-0.4) and psychological violence (aOR 0.6; 95%CI 0.4-0.8). Studentswho were in a relationship and who had history of parental violence were more likely to experience sexual(aOR 1.7; 95%CI 1.2-2.4) and aOR 1.5; 95%CI 1.2-2.2) and psychological (aOR 1.3; 95%CI 1.1-1.5 and aOR 1.3;95%CI respectively) violence.Conclusions: GBV was a common experience of students in both groups of schools. Multi-disciplinary interventionsemphasising ending physical and psychological violence among private school students and sexual violence in public school are recommended. Interventions that involve the parents, school authorities and students on nonviolence conflict resolution are urgently required. Parents and students who perpetrate violence should be referred for counselling.Funding: Author fundedKeywords: Violence, Gender based violence, Violence exposure, Secondary School, Student

Response of cowpea lines to inoculation with four seed transmitted viruses of cowpea.

This study evaluated the performance cowpea genotypes in the field in Ibadan, Nigeria for response to infection induced by four seed transmitted viruses of cowpea. The experiment was laid out in split plot design withthree replicates. Cowpea mottle virus genus Carmovirus (CMeV) produced infection in 14 of the 15 lines, Bean common mosaic virus genus Potyvirus - blackeye cowpea strain (BCMV – BlC) in 12, Cowpea aphid-borne mosaicvirus genus Potyvirus (CABMV) in 11 and Southern bean mosaic virus genus Sobemovirus (SBMV) in 6. BCMV – BlC significantly reduced (

Preparing medical students to recognize and respond to gender based violence in Nigeria

Background: Medical practitioners are ideally positioned to mitigate the impact of gender based violence (GBV) on the health of victims.  However, there is a lack of information on students’ ability and willingness to do so. Objective:  To identify factors which impact on students’ attainment of the knowledge and perceived ability to manage victims. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 388 (91.5%) final year medical students from three medical schools in South West, Nigeria.   Results: Students were knowledgeable on sexual (63.7%) and physical (54.6%) forms of GBV and unfamiliar with other forms. The mean scores for knowledge (7.1 ± 2.5 out of 11); attitude (52.6 ± 10.3 out of 80); personal comfort (44.1 ± 10.0 out of 65) and skills (3.1 ± 2.6 out of 7) were calculated.  Younger respondents, females and married students reported less skill to manage victims.  The location of school, previous training and personal comfort remained significant determinants of students’ self reported skills on GBV. Respondents with prior training on GBV and comfortable with managing patients, were four times more likely to perceive they were more skilled than their peers [AOR = 4.33, 95% CI: 2.37 – 7.90 and AOR 3.53; 95% CI 2.16- 5.78 respectively]. Conclusion: Formalised skills training on GBV is a necessity, especially for young, female students and training cannot be left to serendipity. The medical curriculum should be reviewed.Keywords: Undergraduate medical curriculum, gender based violence, violence against women, medical student perceptions, teaching and training undergraduate

Suitability Assessment of Soils around Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan for Maize Production: A Parametric Analyses

The sustainable use of soil resources requires extensive knowledge about its morphology and other properties. The study was carried out to evaluate the suitability of soils for maize production in Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria’s (FRIN), environment, Ibadan, using the parametric method. Four profile pits were dug, described and the soil samples collected and analyzed for particle size distribution, pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable acidity, exchangeable bases and extractable micro nutrients. The textures of the soils were loamy sand, sandy loam and sandy clay loam which varied in response to changes in slope and drainage position. The soil’s pH ranged from strong to slightly acidity (4.32 – 6.75). Organic matter (17.2 -61.2g kg-1), total exchangeable base and total nitrogen (0.7 – 3.1g kg-1) were high, while the extractable micro nutrients; Fe (37 – 67mg kg-1), Cu (7 – 13mg kg-1), Mn (5 – 142mg kg-1) and Zn (38 -134mg kg-1) were at toxic level. Suitability evaluation of the soil using parametric approach shows that the soils are presently not suitable (NS) for the cultivation of maize, while, the potential of suitability of the soil for maize cultivation was ranked marginally suitable (S3). The soils of the study area were classified as Egbeda association which is not currently suitable for maize production, because of its present status. However, the soils suitability potential can be improved through conservative agronomic practices and also to prevent rapid degradation

The prevalence of domestic violence among pregnant women in Nigeria: a systematic review.

To identify, appraise, and synthesize research evidence on the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) among pregnant women in Nigeria. We conducted a systematic review of all published studies between April 2004 and June 2016. Comprehensive searches were conducted on electronic databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Directory of Open Access Journals, Google Scholar, and electronic libraries of the authors' institution. Identified articles were screened in two stages against the inclusion criteria with titles and abstract screened first followed by full-text screening. Selected articles were assessed using the "guidelines for evaluating prevalence studies," and findings were synthesized narratively. Among 19 studies that met the inclusion criteria, two articles were excluded due to low methodological quality and 17 articles were included in the review. The prevalence of DV during pregnancy in Nigeria ranged between 2.3% and 44.6% with lifetime prevalence rates ranging between 33.1% and 63.2%. Physical, sexual, psychological, and verbal abuses were the most frequent types of DV reported in this review. The most common perpetrators were husbands, as reported in 11 of the 17 studies. Pregnant women between the ages of 20 and 30 years were the most common victims of DV. Our review suggests high prevalence of DV in pregnancy among women in Nigeria and higher lifetime prevalence. However, determining an overall, synthesized accurate prevalence rate of DV within this population based on existing evidence presents a challenge. The findings have important implications for stakeholders such as planners, policy makers, maternity care providers, and researchers in public health and social policy at national, regional, and international levels toward combating the issue. OBJECTIVE METHOD RESULTS CONCLUSIO