Pollen morphological studies of selected flowering plants in Federal University Of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

The taxonomic classifications of some flowering plants into families have been a subject of review in recent times. This is because many were classified in the early days of taxonomy using plant morphological characters alone. This study assessed pollen characters of ten flowering plants in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria with a view to identifying valuable taxonomic characters which could be employed for resolving classification controversies associated with the use of morphological characters alone. Pollen study was conducted using acetolysis method. Means, standard deviations and coefficient of variations were calculated while photomicrographs of pollen grains were taken at X400 magnification. The result showed tricolporate, pantoporate, triporate, tricolpate and heterocolpate pollen types while exine patterns were granulate, reticulate, psilate and echinate. Results of pollen shape revealed oblate spheroidal, prolate and subprolate while there were variations in pollen characters among species of the same family in apertural type, sculpture, exine surface pattern, pollen shape and pollen fertility. This suggests that apertural type, sculpture, exine surface pattern, pollen shape and pollen fertility could be useful in resolving taxonomic issues related to classification associated with grouping of some flowering plants into the same family on the basis of morphological traits alone

Assessing the nutritional status of four indigenous breeds of cattle using some blood metabolites in Nigeria

Data on some blood metabolites from five bulls each of Bunaji, Rahaji, Sokoto Gudali and Azawak breeds of cattle were collected. They were fed poultry litter in a concentrate mixture for 90 days and their nutritional status ascertained from the serum metabolic profile. Result showed that the metabolisable energy and crude protein composition of the diet were within the optimum values required for beef cattle. Significant (P<0.05) difference existed between the breeds for creatitnine values. It was highest for Bunaji at the beginning of the experiment, Bunaji and Sokoto Gudali had similar values at the middle. There also significant (P<0.05) difference observed between the breeds in terms of total protein even though it later decline in all the breeds at the middle and slightly went up at the end of the trial.  Blood urea nitrogen concentration was significantly (P<0.05) different across the time of collection between the breeds. It slightly declined at the middle and sharply increased at the end for all the breeds. Similarly, the result showed that there was significant (P<0.05) difference in the values obtained for blood glucose. SokotAo Gudali recorded the least value for blood glucose from the beginning to the end of the study. Albumin was only significantly (P<0.05) different at the beginning of the study. In conclusion, the results showed that in general metabolic profiling studies in these breeds of cattle did not identify any clear nutritional constraints to productivity. It can be said with certainty, from the glucose, albumin and urea results, that dietary energy and protein were not limiting. Key words: Albumin, Bulls, Glucose, Poultry litter, Total protei

Seasonal variations, environmental parameters, and standing crop assessment of benthic foraminifera in eastern Bahrain, Arabian Gulf

Living benthic foraminifera in a relatively unpolluted site offshore Bahrain in the Arabian Gulf, were studied to determine the seasonal variability of their populations, as well as environmental parameters that may affect their distribution. The maximum foraminiferal density was observed during winter with the assemblages primarily dominated by rotaliids and secondarily by miliolids. The high population is attributed to an increased number of juveniles. A relationship between sediment grain-size and the foraminiferal density reveals that juveniles were most abundant on coarse-grained sandy substrate and less abundant on fine-grained substrates. In spring, the foraminiferal density decreased, and the lowest values were observed during summer. The population increased again in autumn with highest juvenile/adult ratios. Moreover, results of relative abundance and species consistency show that Ammonia and Glabratellina are consistent from the shallowest to the deepest station, whereas miliolids occurred only at deeper stations. The numbers of Peneroplidae and Elphidium also increased along the depth transect. Environmental characterization reveals that although the site is subject to eutrophication caused by nitrates and sulfates, pollution caused by hydrocarbons and heavy metals is not significant. The assessment of 63 heavy metals showed that none of the metals had concentrations that exceed internationally accepted norms (the devised level of Effect Range Low), but with high concentration of strontium. The lack of a significant environmental effect of heavy metals is confirmed by the Foraminiferal Abnormality Index of <2%. Likewise, no hydrocarbon contamination was detected in the water or sediment samples. We conclude that the site in Bahrain is not yet adversely affected by human development, and therefore can provide baseline information for future comparison and assessment of foraminiferal assemblages in contaminated zones of the Arabian Gulf

Preliminary in vitro screening of some spices and medicinal plants from Edo and Rivers States, Nigeria for reducing enteric methane production in ruminants

Methane gas produced by ruminants during feed fermentation contributed to global warming as well as poor efficiency of food utilization.&nbsp; Mitigating ruminal methane production through anti-microbial feed additive has serious health implications. A preliminary study of the potential of medicinal plants and spices from Edo and Rivers State, as possible replacement to antibiotic feed additives was carried out. Medicinal plants and&nbsp; spices were purposefully sampled, dried at 40oC, milled and 10 mg was added with 190 mg of substrate in a preweighed nylon incubation bags. Bags and their contents were incubated using 30 mL of buffered rumen liquor in 100 mL syringes following the standard procedure of in vitro fermentation. Variables monitored were 24h total gas volume, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), methane (CH ) gas, dry matter degradability (DMD) as well as some chemical, cell wall and 4 anti-nutritive components. Results revealed that adding the medicinal plants and spices as feed additives did not depress gas production in most cases (19.5 – 29.50 mL, 17.75 – 30.00 mL and 12.00 – 29.00 mL for Edo medicinal plants, Edo spices and Rivers&nbsp; medicinal plants respectively) and also did not depress DMD (&gt; 50%). Azadirachta indica stem reduced CH4 production mostly by 53.56% while Dennttia tripetala did by 47.69% among the Edo medicinal plants and spices, respectively. In Rivers State, Amaranthus spinosus gave the highest value of 60.33% CH reduction. In the same bracket of similar and good CH4 reduction potentials were Alstonia boonei leaves (49.06%),&nbsp; Newbouldia laevis root (41.50%), Euphorbia heterophyla (37.97%), Allium crispum (47.31%), Allium cepa (46.80%), Aframomum mueguata (46.54%), Capsicum annum (47.32%), Ageratum conyzoides (56.52%), Lagenaria breviflora (48.03%) and Centrosema molle (45.08%). All the medicinal plant and spices with potential for CH4 reduction had corresponding high SCFA 4 values (0.46 – 0.65 Mmol) with tannin (%) and saponin (%) contents of&nbsp; 0.011 – 17.50 and 0.01 – 2.40 respectively. Conclusively, the medicinal plants and spices demonstrated good potentials for reducing rumen methane production in vitro and may be subjected to further in vivo studies. Keywords: in vitro, spices, medicinal plants, methane production, ruminant

Sedimentary facies, depositional environments and conceptual outcrop analogue (Dam Formation, early Miocene) Eastern Arabian Platform, Saudi Arabia: a new high-resolution approach

Abstract This paper presents the facies and depositional environment of the early Miocene Dam Formation, Eastern Arabian platform, Saudi Arabia. Deposition of Dam Formation (Fm.) was considered as a restricted shallow marine deposition. Few studies suggest the role of sea-level change in its deposition but were without decisive substantiation. Here, we describe the facies and high-resolution model of Dam Fm. under varying depositional conditions. The depositional conditions were subjected to changing relative sea level and tectonics. High-resolution outcrop photographs, sedimentological logs, and thin sections present that the mixed carbonate–siliciclastic sequence was affected by a regional tectonics. The lower part of Dam Fm. presents the development of carbonate ramp conditions that are represented by limestones and marl. The depositional conditions fluctuated with the fall of sea level, and uplift in the region pushed the siliciclastic down-dip and covered the whole platform. The subsequent rise in sea level was not as pronounced and thus allowed the deposition of microbial laminites and stromatolitic facies. The southeast outcrops, down-dip, are more carbonate prone as compared to the northwest outcrop, which allowed the deposition of siliciclastic-prone sedimentation up-dip. All facies, architecture, heterogeneity, and deposition were controlled by tectonic events including uplift, subsidence, tilting, and syn-sedimentary faulting, consequently affecting relative sea level. The resulting conceptual outcrop model would help to improve our understanding of mixed carbonate–siliciclastic systems and serve as an analogue for other stratigraphic units in the Arabian plate and region. Our results show that Dam Fm. can be a good target for exploration in the Northern Arabian Gulf

This is our story: iconography of carved doors and panels in Òyó Palace

This saying or prayer is one of the numerous expressions among the Yorùbá about the door and its significance, not only as a physical and important aspect of their architecture, but also in their language and culture. It also alludes to its pride of place as perhaps the most decorated element of Yorùbá architecture. From private homes, to the homes of the rich, shrines, and palaces, Yorùbá doors are usually imbued with a considerable array of images and icons that proclaims the owner's identity, religion, occupation. The Yorùbá are not unique in this respect. For example, among the Dogon, the door is as important as the house on which it is affixed. The granary, according to Willett (2002: 176), protects the the food stored inside it, while the door is seen or referred to as an element not only for physical protection, but also as a spiritual means of warding off unwanted spirits. It is reasonable, therefore, to expect the door to receive aesthetic attention by embellishment with an array of images

Defining core patient descriptors for perforated peptic ulcer research: international Delphi

This study defines core patient descriptors in perforated peptic ulcer research.Background Perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) remains a common condition globally with significant morbidity and mortality. Previous work has demonstrated variation in reporting of patient characteristics in PPU studies, making comparison of studies and outcomes difficult. The aim of this study was to standardize the reporting of patient characteristics, by creating a core descriptor set (CDS) of important descriptors that should be consistently reported in PPU research. Methods Candidate descriptors were identified through systematic review and stakeholder proposals. An international Delphi exercise involving three survey rounds was undertaken to obtain consensus on key patient characteristics for future research. Participants rated items on a scale of 1-9 with respect to their importance. Items meeting a predetermined threshold (rated 7-9 by over 70 per cent of stakeholders) were included in the final set and ratified at a consensus meeting. Feedback was provided between rounds to allow refinement of ratings. Results Some 116 clinicians were recruited from 29 countries. A total of 63 descriptors were longlisted from the literature, and 27 were proposed by stakeholders. After three survey rounds and a consensus meeting, 27 descriptors were included in the CDS. These covered demographic variables and co-morbidities, risk factors for PPU, presentation and pathway factors, need for organ support, biochemical parameters, prognostic tools, perforation details, and surgical history. Conclusion This study defines the core descriptive items for PPU research, which will allow more robust synthesis of studies