Karyotypic studies of four Physalis species from Nigeria

Mitotic chromosomes from root tips of four Nigerian Physalis species were investigated using standard cytogenetic methods. P. angulata has chromosome number of 2n = 48 with karyotypic formula of 2M + 5m + 16sm + 1st, while P. micrantha, P. peruviana and P. pubescens showed the same chromosome number of 2n = 24 with karyotypic formulae of 1M + 1m + 9sm + 1st, 4M + 6m + 1sm + 1st and 1M + 1 m + 2sm + 8st, respectively. The karyotypes show that P. angulata is more advanced when compared to the other three diploids studied

Immuno-Modulatory Activity of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Moringa Oleifera in Brioler Chickens

This experiment was conducted to investigate the immuno-modulatory activity of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera on immune response of broiler chickens to Newcastle disease (ND) vaccinations. The performance, blood parameters and serum biochemistry of the birds were also determined. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) day-old commercial broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments of 4 replicates each. Each replicate had 10 birds. The treatments: T1 – Control group in which the birds were not given any extract; T2 and T3 – birds in these groups were given the prepared stock solution of Moringa oleifera leaf extract at dose rate of 2500mg/kg and 5000mg/kg of body weight in drinking water. The experimental birds were vaccinated with ND vaccines using a stipulated vaccination regime. The Moringa oleifera leaf extract exhibited significant (p≤0.05) influence on final body weight of the experimental broiler chickens with birds in T3 having an average weight of 1947.43g and birds in T1had 1733.33g. The immune modulating effect of the leaf extract was insignificant (p≥0.05) though it elicited higher antibody titre of Log27 and Log29 in birds in T3 compared to Log26 and Log28 of birds in control group after the first and second ND vaccinations respectively. The leaf extract caused significant (p≤0.05) increase in white blood cells and leucocytes count. The study concluded that the plant extract had slight immune stimulatory effects on response to ND vaccinations and improved the growth performance of broiler chickens

An increased CD25-positive intestinal regulatory T-lymphocyte population is dependent on Cox-2 activity in the Apc Min/+ model

Summary Only mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient colorectal cancer (CRC) appears to respond well to programmed death (PD)-1 inhibition at the present time. Emerging evidence suggests a role for micro-environmental factors such as CD25+ cells modulating response to PD-1 inhibition. In the ApcMin/+ model of familial adenomatous polyposis (MMR-proficient CRC), increased Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression by cells which include alternatively activated mononuclear phagocytes promotes intestinal tumorigenesis by mechanisms which may include immune suppression. To gain insight into this, we compared regulatory T cell (Treg) populations between ApcMin/+ and wild-type mice prior to and after the phase of increased intestinal Cox-2-dependent prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. There was no difference in systemic Treg function or numbers between ApcMin/+ and wild-type mice. However, increased numbers of small intestinal CD25+ Tregs were observed with increased Cox-2 activity in the absence of any difference in the expression of Tgf-β or Tslp between ApcMin/+ and wild-type mice. Cox-2 inhibitor therapy (Celecoxib) reversed the increase in ApcMin/+ intestinal CD25+ Treg numbers, without decreasing numbers of CD25+ systemic Tregs. Forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3+) and Cox-2+ cells were co-localized to the interstitium of adenomas of Apcmin/+ mice. These results suggest selective dependence of an ‘activated Treg’ phenotype on paracrine Cox-2 activity in ApcMin/+ small intestine. For therapeutic potential, further studies are required to evaluate the relevance of these findings to human cancer as well as the functional significance of CD25+ intestinal Tregs in cancer.</jats:p

Effect of Groundnut Shell Ash on Laterite Soils Stabilized with Lime for Civil Structures

This research considered the viability of groundnut shell ash (GSA) on lime stabilized lateritic soil for roadway structural works. Three samples of lateritic soil named samples A, B and C were gathered from Idita-Mokuro, NTA-Mokuro and ETF burrow pits individually, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Preliminary tests were completed on the samples in their natural states and when stabilized with optimum lime. Engineering tests were performed while varying rates of GSA were added to the soil samples at optimum lime. The Atterberg limits tests showed a significant reduction in plasticity index for samples A and C when stabilized with lime. Compaction test showed a decrease in the maximum dry density from 1685kg/m3 to 1590kg/m3 for sample A, 1599kg/m3 to 1512kg/m3 for sample B and 1396kg/m3 to 1270kg/m3 for sample C on stabilizing with lime, introduction of GSA to stabilized lime-soil diminishes the maximum dry density for all the soil samples with sample A reduced to 1435kg/m3, 1385kg/m3, and 1350kg/m3 at 2, 4 and 6% GSA contents respectively. Addition of GSA contents improved the engineering properties of lime stabilized soils as the unsoaked CBR esteems expanded for all soil samples. At optimum lime dosage, addition of 2%&nbsp; GSA content expanded the triaxial shear strength from 60.43kN/m2 to 188.36kN/m2 for sample A, and at 4% GSA content, both soil samples B and C increased from 19.19kN/m2 to 201.48kN/m2 and 30.62kN/m2 to 111.65kN/m2 respectively. Conclusively, groundnut shell ash improved the toughness and strength of lime stabilized lateritic soil for highway structural works. is compulsory. First sentence describes the nature or the background information on the field of study. Subsequent sentences provide the problem statement or objectives and scope of the research. Next sentences explain the methods and materials used in the work. Main results and important findings are then highlighted. Finally, a summary of conclusions is put forth. Length of abstract can be proportional to the length of the articl

Cytogenice Studies on Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L..) verdc)

The study reports the result of analysis of chromosomes of Vigna subterranea performed in the mitotic prometaphase and metaphase stages using conventional techniques. The somatic chromosome study was done using the shoot meristem as the root tips persistently showed very low mitotic indices. The result revealed somatic chromosome number of 2n = 22. There was no evidence of polyploidy in any of the accessions. The chromosome morphology was described on the basis of the centromere position. From the F% value, it was evident that the different accessions showed wide range of variation in their karyoptypes. The minimum F% range of 33.33 to 50.00 was recorded for Ac-01, Ac-02 and Ac-03. They had metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes. Ac-04 had F% range of 25.00 to 50.00. With the exception of the 9th chromosome pair that was telocentric, the chromosomes were mostly metacentric and submetacentric. Because the accessions were diploid, the uniformity in chromosome number of the four accessions investigated is a clear indication that they may have evolved from a common ancestor, forming a homogeneous assemblage. Keywords: Cytogenetics, chromosome, Bambara groundnut, Vigna subterraneaAgro-Science Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 13-2

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF SPATHODEA CAMPANULATA FLOWER BUD EXUDATE ON CATARACTOGENESIS IN RAT LENSES

Background: The flower bud exudates of Spathodea campanulata is commonly used as a local eye drop in Nigeria and is anecdotally claimed to improve vision. This study evaluated the anti-cataract activity of Spathodea campanulata (SPCM) flower bud exudates against cataractogenesis using rat lenses. This was done with a view to providing empirical scientific support for the use of the exudates from SPCM in the treatment and management of certain eye disorders. Materials and Methods: Fifty (50) rat lenses were used in this study, i.e. five groups of ten (10) lenses per group. Lenses were incubated in artificial aqueous humor (Normal control) with simultaneous incubation in 30 mM galactose (Untreated cataract). Co-incubation with captopril (Captopril treated cataract); 0.1 mg/ml of the exudate (Exudate treated cataract - Low dose) and 0.2 mg/ml of exudate (Exudate treated cataract- High dose) constituted the study groups. After 72 hr of incubation, lenses were observed for cataract and the preventive potential of the exudate against cataractogenesis was evaluated through the determination of the levels of anti-oxidant parameters such as total protein (TP), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were evaluated in the lens homogenates. Results: Photographic evaluation of the lenses showed the development of cataract in the untreated cataract group while opacification was retarded in higher dose exudate-treated and captopril treated lenses. Significant decrease in the levels of GSH and total protein, reduction in SOD and CAT activities as well as increase in MDA content were observed in cataractous lenses when compared with the normal control. SPCM displayed a dose-related anti-cataract activity. Captopril showed comparable anti-cataract potential to (0.2 mg/ml) SPCM. GSH, SOD and CAT activity in captopril treated cataract lenses increased to 75.55%, 64.08% and 72.45% of the normal control values respectively. In (0.2 mg/ml) exudate treated cataract lenses; GSH, SOD and CAT activity increased to 57.7%, 76.69% and 80.61% respectively. Conclusion: The study concluded that exudate of SPCM elicited its anti-cataract potential through its anti-oxidant activities

Multiple indices of diffusion identifies white matter damage in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease

The study of multiple indices of diffusion, including axial (DA), radial (DR) and mean diffusion (MD), as well as fractional anisotropy (FA), enables WM damage in Alzheimer's disease (AD) to be assessed in detail. Here, tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) were performed on scans of 40 healthy elders, 19 non-amnestic MCI (MCIna) subjects, 14 amnestic MCI (MCIa) subjects and 9 AD patients. Significantly higher DA was found in MCIna subjects compared to healthy elders in the right posterior cingulum/precuneus. Significantly higher DA was also found in MCIa subjects compared to healthy elders in the left prefrontal cortex, particularly in the forceps minor and uncinate fasciculus. In the MCIa versus MCIna comparison, significantly higher DA was found in large areas of the left prefrontal cortex. For AD patients, the overlap of FA and DR changes and the overlap of FA and MD changes were seen in temporal, parietal and frontal lobes, as well as the corpus callosum and fornix. Analysis of differences between the AD versus MCIna, and AD versus MCIa contrasts, highlighted regions that are increasingly compromised in more severe disease stages. Microstructural damage independent of gross tissue loss was widespread in later disease stages. Our findings suggest a scheme where WM damage begins in the core memory network of the temporal lobe, cingulum and prefrontal regions, and spreads beyond these regions in later stages. DA and MD indices were most sensitive at detecting early changes in MCIa

HIV Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Awareness Among Undergraduate Students of a Private University in South-West Nigeria

Objectives: The Human Immunodeficiency virus causes an infection of public health importance with about 71% of the global burden in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, 3.2 million people are living with HIV, and 838,000 - 1.3 million of the cases are found among youths. Although Non- Occupational Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is a safe and efficacious method of HIV prevention, it remains an underutilized prevention strategy in Nigeria.Â&nbsp; This study aimed to determine the awareness level of nPEP after sexual and other non-occupational exposure to HIV among undergraduate students of a private University. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 395 undergraduates’ students. Data was collected by pre-tested structured self-administered questionnaires. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 20 software program and Frequency distribution tables with percentages and cross-tables were used for data description. Results: About 42.8% were aware of nPEP. Most of the respondents 361 (91.4%) knew that PEP is to be given after HIV exposure risk following sexual intercourse. Although 79.5% of the respondents indicated that they will see their physician after unprotected sexual intercourse and other non-occupational exposure to HIV, the majority neither knows about nPEP initiation time, 247 (62.5%) nor its duration, 286 (72.4%). Conclusions: A low level of awareness was observed among our study participants, therefore, consistent health education and promotion of nPEP will improve its awareness, uptake, and possibly reduce the prevalence of HIV among our youths

Sero-prevalence and risk factors for cytomegalovirus infection among pregnant women in a teaching hospital in Ogun state, Nigeria

Background: Infection with cytomegalo virus is usually asymptomatic however in pregnant women the risk of congenital infection and foetal&nbsp; abnormalities makes antenatal screening for CMV infection necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence and risk factors for&nbsp; CMV infection among pregnant women in Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted between January and May, 2017 on patients attending the antenatal clinic of&nbsp; Babcock University Teaching Hospital. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Kits were used to determine IgM and IgG anti CMV antibody titresinvenous blood samples obtained from study participants.Results: A total of 80 patients were recruited into the study. The mean age was 30 years.All (100%) respondents were sero-positive for anti CMV IgG&nbsp; antibodies while 28.75% of respondents were seropositive for anti CMV IgM antibodies.Conclusion: There was a highsero-prevalence rate of CMV infection in the study. Screening of pregnant women for CMV infection is necessary due to the&nbsp; risk of congenital infection and fetal defects

Using Support Vector Machines with Multiple Indices of Diffusion for Automated Classification of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Few studies have looked at the potential of using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in conjunction with machine learning algorithms in order to automate the classification of healthy older subjects and subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Here we apply DTI to 40 healthy older subjects and 33 MCI subjects in order to derive values for multiple indices of diffusion within the white matter voxels of each subject. DTI measures were then used together with support vector machines (SVMs) to classify control and MCI subjects. Greater than 90% sensitivity and specificity was achieved using this method, demonstrating the potential of a joint DTI and SVM pipeline for fast, objective classification of healthy older and MCI subjects. Such tools may be useful for large scale drug trials in Alzheimer's disease where the early identification of subjects with MCI is critical