STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING THE VALUE CHAIN OF CASTOR AS AN INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL IN NIGERIA

Castor is possibly one of Nigeria’s most under-appreciated assets. Its potential as an industrial raw material can be fully realized by a critical appraisal of its value chain. This article reviews Castor value chain in Nigeria and identifies the constraints and strategies for improving its use as an industrial raw material. The strategies proposed can serve as a guide for castor value addition among operators and policy makers in a bid to maximize castor industrial potentials. A review of the uses of castor after value addition indicated that it can be used in over 10 industries namely; agriculture, food, paper, electronics and telecommunication, textile, pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and Perfume, Paint, Lubricant, Plastic and Rubber industries. Constraints such as insect and disease problems, weak input/service market, inadequate knowledge and skill, post-harvest losses and inadequate process technology serve as obstacles to successful value addition for Castor. Strategies bordering on developing the input market, provision of quality seedlings and fertilizers, capacity development and development of farmers institutions were proposed to bridge the gaps, encourage value addition and ensure the development of Castor as an industrial raw material. It is believed that if the recommendations are implemented, castor can attract up to 25 billion Naira to the Nigerian economy

Bovine CD14 gene characterization and relationship between polymorphisms and surface expression on monocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>CD14 is an important player in host innate immunity in that it confers lipopolysaccharide sensitivity to cell types like neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages. The study was aimed at characterizing the CD14 gene of cattle for sequence variations and to determine the effect of variations on the expression of the protein on the surfaces of monocytes and neutrophils in healthy dairy cows.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Five SNPs were identified: two within the coding regions (g.A1908G and g.A2318G, numbering is according to GenBank No. <ext-link ext-link-type="gen" ext-link-id="EU148609">EU148609</ext-link>), one in the 5' (g.C1291T) and two in the 3' (g.A2601G and g.G2621T) untranslated regions. SNP 1908 changes amino acid 175 of the protein (p.Asn175Asp, numbering is according to GenBank No. <ext-link ext-link-type="gen" ext-link-id="ABV68569">ABV68569</ext-link>), while SNP 2318 involves a synonymous codon change. Coding region SNPs characterized three gene alleles <it>A </it>(GenBank No. <ext-link ext-link-type="gen" ext-link-id="EU148609">EU148609</ext-link>), <it>A</it>₁(GenBank No. <ext-link ext-link-type="gen" ext-link-id="EU148610">EU148610</ext-link>) and <it>B </it>(GenBank No. <ext-link ext-link-type="gen" ext-link-id="EU148611">EU148611</ext-link>) and two deduced protein variants A (<ext-link ext-link-type="gen" ext-link-id="ABV68569">ABV68569</ext-link> and <ext-link ext-link-type="gen" ext-link-id="ABV68570">ABV68570</ext-link>) and B (<ext-link ext-link-type="gen" ext-link-id="ABV68571">ABV68571</ext-link>). Protein variant A is more common in the breeds analyzed. All SNPs gave rise to 3 haplotypes for the breeds. SNP genotype 1908AG was significantly (P < 0.01) associated with a higher percentage of neutrophils expressing more CD14 molecules on their surfaces. The promoter region contains several transcription factor binding sites, including multiple AP-1 and SP1 sites and there is a high conservation of amino acid residues between the proteins of closely related species.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study has provided information on sequence variations within the CD14 gene and proteins of cattle. The SNP responsible for an amino acid exchange may play an important role in the expression of CD14 on the surfaces of neutrophils. Further observations involving a larger sample size are required to validate our findings. Our SNP and association analyses have provided baseline information that may be used at defining the role of CD14 in mediating bacterial infections. The computational analysis on the promoter and comparative analysis with other species has revealed regions of regulatory element motifs that may indicate important regulatory effects on the gene.</p

Citrus Fruits Value Chain Development in Nigeria

Citrus is one of the world’s most important economic fruit crops. It belongs to the group of fruits that includes oranges, lemon, limes, grape fruits and tangerines. Many citrus fruits are generally eaten fresh.  Oranges and grapefruit juices are popular breakfast beverages, but more astringent citrus such as lemons and limes are used for garnishing or in cooked dishes.  Citrus fruits are also made use of in production of squashes, citrus fruit powders, marmalade and other flavouring agents. After the extraction of the juice from the fruit, the resulting fruit pulp is a possible livestock feed and the rind oil is an expensive commodity in the international market.  Citrus seeds are also known to contain sweetening agents, which are being studied as probable sugar substitute.  Citrus peels can be used for the production of citric acid, lactic acid, feed yeast and vinegar. The leaves, flowers, peels, fruits and dried bark of citrus have important medicinal values.  The dried bark of citrus is a raw material for the production of insecticides. Citrus has also found use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and soap industries. Citrus is grown globally with the largest commercial cultivation in Brazil and China. The 2007 Food and Agricultural Organization’s report rated Nigeria as the 9th citrus producing country with annual average production capacity of about 3,325,000 tonnes. However, citrus fruits produced in Nigeria are mostly consumed locally without much value addition. In an effort to promote increased production and processing of tropical fruits in the country, the Federal Government banned the importation of packed juice in 2002 and then launched a Presidential Initiative on Tropical Fruits Production in 2005. This paper examines the citrus value chain in Nigeria, efforts towards the development of citrus value chain, challenges and strategies for harnessing the potentials of citrus fruits for economic development of the country. The paper identifies lack of value addition as the major constraint in harnessing the citrus potentials in Nigeria. Other challenges identified include post harvest losses due to poor road network, lack of infrastructure for storage and preservation, lack of improved varieties, poor R&amp;D funding and poor handling of the fruits during harvesting and transportation.  Strategies for effective development and utilization of citrus potentials in Nigeria were identified to include establishment of cold storage infrastructure across the country to reduce post harvest losses, adequate funding of Research for the development of improved varieties, establishment of citrus orchards, establishment of processing clusters and dedicated development of citrus value chain in Nigeria. Nigeria’s immense potentials in citrus production if well harnessed, will position the country in the lead in world trade production of the commodity and can save the country up to $480 million in import bills. KEYWORDS: Fruits, citrus, post harvest losses, value chain, processing cluster

Non-Coding RNA Roles in Ruminant Mammary Gland Development and Lactation

The ruminant mammary gland (MG) is an important organ charged with the production of milk for young and human nourishment. Many factors influence MG productivity, including nutrition, genetics, breed, epigenetics (including non-coding RNA [ncRNA]), disease pathogens and other environmental factors. In recent years, increasing research is beginning to determine the role of non-coding RNA in MG functions. Non-coding RNAs (small interfering RNA [siRNA], microRNA [miRNA], PIWI-interacting RNA [piRNA], small nucleolar RNA [snoRNA] and long non-coding RNA [lncRNA]) are a class of untranslated RNA molecules that function to regulate gene expression, associated biochemical pathways and cellular functions and are involved in many biological processes. This chapter presents a review of the current state of knowledge on the role of ncRNAs (particularly miRNAs and lncRNAs) in the MG and lactation processes, lactation signalling pathways, lipid metabolism, MG health of ruminants as well as miRNA roles in milk recipients. Finally, the potential application of new genome editing technology for ncRNA studies in MG development, the lactation process and milk components is presented

The concentrations of methaemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin and some haematological parameters in tobacco snuff addicts in Igbo of Nigeria

Methaemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations and some haematological parameters were studied in fifty tobacco snuff addicts (40 males and 10 females) in some villages of Anambra State, Nigeria. The aim was to investigate possible adverse effects of tobacco snuff in addicts in Igbos of Anambra State. Fifty apparently healthy persons (25 males and 25 females) who do not inhale snuff were used as controls. The age range of tests and control subjects was 25-65 years. The results showed no statistically significant difference when the tests group was compared with the control group. A comparison of the results on the basis of sex, age and period of exposure, showed no significant differences. Blood picture in test and control groups was normocytic and normochromic. The resultssuggest that tobacco snuff may not have any adverse effect on haemoglobin metabolism and erythropoiesis

Associations between variants of FADS genes and omega-3 and omega-6 milk fatty acids of Canadian Holstein cows

BACKGROUND: Fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) and 2 (FADS2) genes code respectively for the enzymes delta-5 and delta-6 desaturases which are rate limiting enzymes in the synthesis of polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (FAs). Omega-3 and-6 FAs as well as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) are present in bovine milk and have demonstrated positive health effects in humans. Studies in humans have shown significant relationships between genetic variants in FADS1 and 2 genes with plasma and tissue concentrations of omega-3 and-6 FAs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of sequence variations within these two genes in Canadian Holstein cows as well as the association between sequence variants and health promoting FAs in milk. RESULTS: Thirty three SNPs were detected within the studied regions of genes including a synonymous mutation (FADS1-07, rs42187261, 306Tyr > Tyr) in exon 8 of FADS1, a non-synonymous mutation (FADS2-14, rs211580559, 294Ala > Val) within FADS2 exon 7, a splice site SNP (FADS2-05, rs211263660), a 3′UTR SNP (FADS2-23, rs109772589), and another 3′UTR SNP with an effect on a microRNA binding site within FADS2 gene (FADS2-19, rs210169303). Association analyses showed significant relations between three out of seven tested SNPs and several FAs. Significant associations (FDR P < 0.05) were recorded between FADS2-23 (rs109772589) and two omega-6 FAs (dihomogamma linolenic acid [C20:3n6] and arachidonic acid [C20:4n6]), FADS1-07 (rs42187261) and one omega-3 FA (eicosapentaenoic acid, C20:5n3) and tricosanoic acid (C23:0), and one intronic SNP, FADS1-01 (rs136261927) and C20:3n6. CONCLUSION: Our study has demonstrated positive associations between three SNPs within FADS1 and FADS2 genes (a SNP within the 3’UTR, a synonymous SNP and an intronic SNP), with three milk PUFAs of Canadian Holstein cows thus suggesting possible involvement of synonymous and non-coding region variants in FA synthesis. These SNPs may serve as potential genetic markers in breeding programs to increase milk FAs that are of benefit to human health

Characterization of the casein gene complex in West Africa goats and description of a new αs1-casein polymorphism

The analysis of casein polymorphisms was carried out in West Africa goat populations: Red Sokoto (n = 57), West African Dwarf Nigeria (n = 27), West African Dwarf Cameroon (n = 39), and Borno (n = 37). The 4 casein genes alphas1 (CSN1S1), beta (CSN2), alphas2 (CSN1S2), and kappa (CSN3) were typed at the DNA level. No null alleles were found in any of the genes analyzed. A PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism method was implemented for the identification of CSN1S1*F allele simultaneously with A/01, B/E, N and the new allele. The allele differed from CSN1S1*B by a synonymous transversion TCG->TCT in the codon corresponding to Ser66 of the mature protein. The new allele, named CSN1S1*B', occurred at a high frequency in all the populations, ranging from 0.295 (West African Dwarf Cameroon) to 0.405 (Borno). A greater frequency was found for alleles associated with high alphas1-casein quantity, as has already been observed in the goat populations from the Mediterranean area. The intermediate E allele occurred only in the Red Sokoto and at a low frequency. The faint F allele occurred in 3 populations at frequencies lower than 0.03. Linkage disequilibrium occurred in all the populations, with highly significant differences in Borno, Red Sokoto, and West Africa Dwarf Nigeria, and significant differences in West Africa Dwarf Cameroon. Only 10 haplotypes showed frequencies >= 0.05 in at least 1 of the 4 populations considered, and the overall frequency was >0.1 only for 4 haplotypes: BAAB, B'ACA, ACAB, and BACA (in the order CSN1S1-CSN2-CSN1S2-CSN3). Haplotype BAAB, postulated as an ancestral haplotype in previous studies, was the most common haplotype in all breeds except Borno, where B'ACA was predominant. The results obtained are of considerable significance given that very little information exists on the subject for African goats. The high frequency of strong alleles in the calcium-sensitive caseins as well as the high linkage disequilibrium found among the casein genes in the African breeds analyzed may suggest that specific casein haplotypes have already been selected due to their advantages for nutrition. Haplotypes providing greater protein and casein content would increase the energy content of milk, thus resulting in more favorable growth and survival of young goats and humans consuming the milk

Transcriptome Analysis of Non‐Coding RNAs in Livestock Species: Elucidating the Ambiguity

The recent remarkable development of transcriptomics technologies, especially next generation sequencing technologies, allows deeper exploration of the hidden landscapes of complex traits and creates great opportunities to improve livestock productivity and welfare. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), RNA molecules that are not translated into proteins, are key transcriptional regulators of health and production traits, thus, transcriptomics analyses of ncRNAs are important for a better understanding of the regulatory architecture of livestock phenotypes. In this chapter, we present an overview of common frameworks for generating and processing RNA sequence data to obtain ncRNA transcripts. Then, we review common approaches for analyzing ncRNA transcriptome data and present current state of the art methods for identification of ncRNAs and functional inference of identified ncRNAs, with emphasis on tools for livestock species. We also discuss future challenges and perspectives for ncRNA transcriptome data analysis in livestock species

Transcriptome adaptation of the bovine mammary gland to diets rich in unsaturated fatty acids shows greater impact of linseed oil over safflower oil on gene expression and metabolic pathways

Differentially expressed genes implicated in apoptosis of cows in LSO treatment as compared to the same cows on the control diet. Expression direction of several genes predicted to decrease apoptosis. (DOCX 35 kb

Comparative Evaluation of Genexpert MTB/RIF with AFB Smear Microscopy Methods in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

In recent times, emphasis has shifted from older phenotypically and biochemical methods of diagnosis to molecular methods especially Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique.  This study aims at assessing the performance of Ziehl-Neelson (ZN) acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy in comparison with GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin assay (MTB Rif assay), a real time PCR method in the diagnosis of Mycbacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and to observe the diagnostic value of AFB smear at a tertiary hospital (University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu) in Nigeria, a resource limited setting.Bacteriologic diagnosis and identification of MTB was made using ZN AFB smear microscopy and Cepheid GeneXpert MTB/RIF system. This research was a descriptive study based on retrospective data from a total of six hundred and fourteen (614) samples collected from presumptive TB patients who attended UNTH- ART TB laboratory. Frequency and percentages were used to summarize categorical variables while means and standard deviations were obtained for continuous variables. Associations between categorical variables were done using chi square while accuracy of the test was done using receiver operating characteristics. P value less than 0.05  were  regarded as significant A total of 614 adults and paediatric patients were enrolled into the study, 381 (62%) were females while 233 (38%) were males. The mean age was 42.90yrs with standard deviation of 16.09yrs. Sixty-five (65) patients had pulmonary TB (PTB). Among the patients diagnosed with PTB, 51 (78.5%) were correctly classified positive with AFB smear result while 65 (100%) had MTB detected by Cepheid GeneXpert method We evaluated the outcome of the performance of GeneXpert with AFB smear microscopy methods in the diagnosis of PTB and observed 78% concordance between GeneXpert and smear result. Diagnostic value of ZN AFB smear method when compared to GeneXpert is significantly high and it is therefore an indispensable tool for the diagnosis of TB in Nigeria, a resource limited setting. Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay, Ziehl- Neelson Acid Fast Bacilli (ZN-AFB), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)