Effect of genotype and 2,4-d concentration on callogenesis in sugarcane (saccharum spp. hybrids)

The effect of genotype and 2, 4-D on callogenesis was investigated in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) hybrid cultivars; SP726180, B47419, M1176/77 and M2119/88. To evaluate the response of the genotypes to callus induction and embryogenic callus production, leaf base explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0mg/L) 2,4-D for 8wks. While, the number of responding explants was found to generally increase with the increase in 2,4-D concentration from 2.5 to 4.0mg/L, embryogenic callus producation was highest on media supplemented with 3.0 and 2.5mg/L. There were no significant differences in the number of responding explants and embryogenic callus production among B47419, M1176/77 and M2119/88, these genotypes however exhibited a significantly higher response when compared to SP726180 indicating their high propensity to in vitro callogenesis

A survey on drug related problems in cervical cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria

A drug-related problem (DRP) is an event or circumstance involving drug therapy that actually or potentially interferes with desired outcome. The complexities in drug regimens used in cervical cancer chemotherapy has led to more serious problems. The aim of this study is to investigate DRPs in cervical cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The study was a retrospective cross sectional study on patients receiving cervical cancer chemotherapy at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria (ABUTH). Patients’ medication charts were reviewed from July, 2015 to June, 2016. Data were collected using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) Classification of DRP V 6.20. A total of 224 DRPs cases were identified from 65 cervical cancer patients. The DRPs were mostly on treatment effectiveness (28.1%), adverse reaction (29.0%), and cost (26.8%), while the causes were majorly drug selection (28.1%) and dose selection (29.0%). The risk factors for the DRPs were found to be comorbidities and polypharmacy. In conclusion, DRPs were common among cervical cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at ABUTH. Pharmacist interventions to achieve a better therapeutic outcome are necessary.Keywords: Cervical cancer, chemotherapy, drug related problem, pharmacist, polypharmac

Genre Analysis of WhatsApp Group Chat among Students at University

Aim: This study examined Whatsapp group chat in connection with its influence on proficiency in English. Methods: Employing purposive sampling and mixed-method (quantitative and qualitative) approach to research, a group chat used for educational purposes by selected students of the University of Cape Coast, was analysed. Findings: the study revealed that most of the group members were not living in the same area within campus. Hence, the use of backchannel signals (Ok) with the sole aim of ascertaining whether communication is progressive and the information passed is well deciphered. Additionally, the study also shows that unlike drama, Oh is sparingly used on Whatsapp chat whereas Ok and its deviant form, were generously used. Ok was used to indicate initialization of conversation, reception of an information or message and closure of a conversational sequence. It was also shown that both Oh and Ok do not affect the truth conditions of the text; neither does it add any special meaning to the propositional content of the chat. Recommendation: In view of the findings that Oh and Ok do not enhance grammaticality of a sentence nor does it create propositional meaning, it was recommended that students should balance their use of Whatsapp messenger because much dependence on it for communication purposes could erode students’ grammatical construction of sentences as well as spellings in the English language. Contribution to the body of knowledge: investigating the use of discourse markers on WhatsApp group chat fills the knowledge gap regarding Whatsapp group chats among university students and educationists. Keywords: Whatsapp, Group Chats, University Students, Discourse Marker, English Language DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-35-02 Publication date: December 31st 202

Amphetamines analysis in wastewaters - method performance of solid phase extraction - higher performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry techniques (SPE-HPLC MS/MS)

Recently, many articles have reported different levels and distribution of amphetamine hitherto detected in biological fluids now appreciably found in aquatic environment at ng/L levels. Identification and measurement of amphetamine and its metabolites in surface and sewage waters using higher performance liquid chromatographic methodologies in the literatures now on current trend have provided information that are of scientific interest and effectively replaced immunological methods which only suggest the presence of these substances. Active research on both distribution and impacts of this important drug of abuse and related metabolites in the wastewaters are on-going

Ethylenediamine- and propylenediaminediacetic acid derivatives as ligands for the "fac-[M(CO)3]+" core (M = Re, 99mTc)

The reaction of Re(CO)5Cl with o- or p-N-(nitrophenyl)ethylenediaminediacetic acid (H2L1, H2L2) and o- or p-N-(nitrophenyl)propylenediaminediacetic acid (H2L3, H2L4) in methanol leads to the formation of stable anionic [Et3NH][Re(CO)3(L)]·H2O complexes 1-4. These compounds have been characterized by means of IR, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, NMR and conductimetry, as well as X-ray crystallography for 2 and 3. The [Re(CO)3]+ moiety is coordinated via the nitrogen of the iminodiacetic acid unit and two oxygens of monodentate carboxylate groups. In each case, the nitro group of the aromatic ring remains uncoordinated. The analogous technetium-99m complexes 1' and 3' were also prepared quantitatively by the reaction of H2L1 and H2L3, respectively, with the fac-[99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ precursor in ethanol. The corresponding Re and 99mTc compounds were shown to possess the same structure by means of HPLC studies. The high affinity of these ligands for the Tc(I) or Re(I) core, coupled with the easiness of their derivatization (by reduction of the nitro group in amino group), implies that the utilization of this ligand system to develop target-specific radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and therapy is promising

Single-cell RNA analysis of type I spiral ganglion neurons reveals a Lmx1a population in the cochlea

In the mature cochlea, each inner hair cell (IHC) is innervated by multiple spiral ganglion neurons of type I (SGNI). SGNIs are morphologically and electro-physiologically diverse. Also, they differ in their susceptibility to noise insult. However, the molecular underpinnings of their identity and physiological differences remain poorly understood. In this study, we developed a novel triple transgenic mouse, which enabled the isolation of pure populations of SGNIs and the analysis of a 96-gene panel via single-cell qPCR. We found three distinct populations of Type I SGNs, which were marked by their exclusive expression of Lmx1a, Slc4a4, or Mfap4/Fzd2, respectively, at postnatal days P3, P8, and P12. Our data suggest that afferent SGN subtypes are established genetically before the onset of hearing and that the expression of key physiological markers, such as ion channels, is heterogeneous and may be underlying the heterogeneous firing proprieties of SGNIs

Efficiency of Wastewater Treatment System and Its Use for Irrigation - A Case Study of a private University in Ghana

The reuse or utilization of treated wastewater for irrigation is conventionally considered as a means of mitigating water shortage or abating water pollution. Wastewater treatment plants designed for reuse in irrigation are more appropriate for developing countries striving to enhance access to improved sanitation. It is well known that successive stages of treatment of sewage effluent reduces the quantity of suspended solids, organic matter and nutrient load, bacteria population as well as biological oxygen demand to the extent that the final treated effluent contains virtually a small fraction compared to the influent sewage. A short-term assessment of the decentralised reuse-oriented effluent system of a private University (in Ghana) was carried out to determine its effluent quality for the purpose of irrigating its landscape. The investigation showed that Total Coliform, E. coli and Vibrio spp. were significantly reduced, through the treatment stages, but not to within Internationally accepted guideline values. Salmonella spp. was not significantly reduced. Physical parameters, nutrients as well as biological oxygen demand did not show any variation along the treatment stages. Suspended solids, optimum temperature and pH were identified as contributing to treatment inefficiency of the plant. It is therefore recommended the treated wastewater, prior to disinfection, should be filtered to reduce suspended solids. This will enhance effective chlorination and by extension, significantly reduce bacteria population. Furthermore Regular monitoring and laboratory analysis of the recycled effluent from the plant should be carried out by the EPA or other professional organisation to ensure compliance. Keywords: Reuse, Wastewater, Irrigation, Chlorinatio

Complexity and integration in the control of inner-ear development

A report on the Sixth Molecular Biology of Hearing and Deafness Conference, Hinxton, UK, 11-14 July 2007

The Contribution of the Cosmological Constant to the Relativistic Bending of Light Revisited

We study the effect of the cosmological constant $\Lambda$ on the bending of light by a concentrated spherically symmetric mass. Contrarily to previous claims, we show that when the Schwarzschild-de Sitter geometry is taken into account, $\Lambda$ does indeed contribute to the bending.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure