Phytotoxicity Level and Effects of Arsenic Phytoextraction using Helianthus Annuus L. (Sunflower)

Arsenic is one of the most deadly contaminants polluting the environment in many countries of the world today. It occurs naturally in many ores (Copper, Lead, Gold etc.), but human activities (like explosions, mining, pesticides applications etc.) and natural occurrences (like volcanoes, micro-organisms activities) have increased its amount in the environment to lethal levels. This research involved the growing of sunflower plants Helianthus annuus L. collected from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) on various concentrations of Arsenate contaminated soil for Arsenic phyto-extraction for seven weeks to know the phyto-toxicity level of Arsenic on sunflower (an Arsenic hyper-accumulator). After several observations and statistical evaluations using the Analysis of Variance, it was discovered that as from 2.0g – 3.0g of Arsenate per kg of soil, 0% germination occurred. Between 0.75g – 1.5g of Arsenate per kg of soil, the percentage germination was 10% - 50% (not significant) and percentage survival was 30% (not significant). Furthermore, between 0g – 1.5g of Arsenate per kg of soil, there was a percentage germination of 60% - 100% (significant) and a percentage survival of 60% - 100% (significant). Hence, for efficient and appreciable Arsenic phyto-extraction from an Arsenate contaminated soil using Sunflower a concentration of 0.5g and below of Arsenate per kg of soil should be ensured. As from 0.75g of Arsenate per kg of soil (Phytotoxicity level) the effects of Arsenic phyto-toxicity observed are delayed germination, wilting, drying-off, damping-off, foliage chlorosis and necrosis, reddening etc. Keywords:Phytoextraction, phytotoxicity, arsenic, sunflower, arsenate contaminated soi

Phytotoxicity Level and Effects of Arsenic Phytoextraction using Helianthus Annuus L. (Sunflower)

Arsenic is one of the most deadly contaminants polluting the environment in many countries of the world today. It occurs naturally in many ores (Copper, Lead, Gold etc.), but human activities (like explosions, mining, pesticides applications etc.) and natural occurrences (like volcanoes, micro-organisms activities) have increased its amount in the environment to lethal levels. This research involved the growing of sunflower plants Helianthus annuus L. collected from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) on various concentrations of Arsenate contaminated soil for Arsenic phyto-extraction for seven weeks to know the phyto-toxicity level of Arsenic on sunflower (an Arsenic hyper-accumulator). After several observations and statistical evaluations using the Analysis of Variance, it was discovered that as from 2.0g – 3.0g of Arsenate per kg of soil, 0% germination occurred. Between 0.75g – 1.5g of Arsenate per kg of soil, the percentage germination was 10% - 50% (not significant) and percentage survival was 30% (not significant). Furthermore, between 0g – 1.5g of Arsenate per kg of soil, there was a percentage germination of 60% - 100% (significant) and a percentage survival of 60% - 100% (significant). Hence, for efficient and appreciable Arsenic phyto-extraction from an Arsenate contaminated soil using Sunflower a concentration of 0.5g and below of Arsenate per kg of soil should be ensured. As from 0.75g of Arsenate per kg of soil (Phytotoxicity level) the effects of Arsenic phyto-toxicity observed are delayed germination, wilting, drying-off, damping-off, foliage chlorosis and necrosis, reddening etc. Keywords: Phytoextraction, phytotoxicity, arsenic, sunflower, arsenate contaminated soi

IN VITRO Proliferation of Plantain using Different Concentration of Auxin and Cytokinin

This study was carried out in the Tissue Culture Laboratory of Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), moor plantation, Ibadan. The explants used were obtained from National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) and the growth parameter studied is the number of proliferated buds. MS (Murashige and Skoog) media supplemented with 0.18mgl-1NAA + 2.3mgl-1BAP supported the growth and bud formation in meristem culture of Musa paradisiaca cv. Agbagba during the initiation stage. After the first apical buds appeared, the buds were transferred to MS media supplemented with different combinations of Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and Benzylaminopurine (BAP) at different concentrations (0.0mgl-1NAA + 0.0mgl-1BAP, 0.1mgl-1 NAA + 3.5mgl-1 BAP, 0.18mgl-1 NAA + 4.5mgl-1 BAP, 0.26mgl-1 NAA + 5.5mgl-1 BAP). The results obtained showed that proliferation media supplemented with 0.18mgl-1 NAA + 4.5mgl-1 BAP yielded the highest number of buds. This study however revealed the effect of hormone in the initiation and proliferation of plantain buds as essential and MS medium with NAA (0.18mgl-1) and BAP (4.5mgl-1) was the optimum concentration required for the proliferation of plantain. Keywords: Optimum concentration, In-vitro, MS medium, proliferated bud

Effects of Dietary Supplemental Vitamins and Periods of Administration on Growth Performance and Antibody Titre of Broiler Chickens Vaccinated against Newcastle Disease

This study investigated the effects of supplemental vitamins and varying administration periods on growth performance and antibody titre of broiler chickens vaccinated against Newcastle Disease (ND). A total of 300 unvaccinated against ND Arbor Acre day-old chicks were used for the study for 8 wk. Birds were brooded together on day 1 of age, and 30 chicks were selected randomly for evaluating the maternally derived antibody titre against ND. At 2 days of age, the remaining 270 chicks were divided based on weight equalization into 9 treatment groups and replicated thrice. The 9 treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of 4 supplemental vitamins (A, C, E and combination of A, C, E) and 2 periods of administration (3 days pre- and post-ND vaccinations) with a control. The birds were managed intensively throughout the experimental period, ND vaccines were administered on the 5th (i/o) and 24th (Lasota) day of age, respectively. Supplemental combined vitamins A, C and E at 0.15, 16.67 and 3.03 mg/kg, respectively, resulted in higher (P < 0.05) final body weight of 1785.00 g/bird and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 2.89. Also, birds fed vitamin A supplemented diet 3 d pre-i/o vaccine had higher (p<0.05) serum antibody titre (75.20) against ND while higher (p<0.05) serum antibody titre (741.33) was also obtained in birds fed diet supplemented with vitamin E 3 d post-Lasota vaccination. Conclusively, broiler chickens diets can be supplemented with combined vitamins A, C, and E for better growth performance measured as final body weight and FCR, in addition, vitamins A (0.45mg/kg) and E (9.1mg/kg) dietary supplementation at 3 d pre-i/o and 3 d post-Lasota vaccines, respectively, can be adopted for improved antibody production

Development of a risk score for early saphenous vein graft failure: An individual patient data meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Early saphenous vein graft (SVG) occlusion is typically attributed to technical factors. We aimed at exploring clinical, anatomical, and operative factors associated with the risk of early SVG occlusion (within 12 months postsurgery). METHODS: Published literature in MEDLINE was searched for studies reporting the incidence of early SVG occlusion. Individual patient data (IPD) on early SVG occlusion were used from the SAFINOUS-CABG Consortium. A derivation (n = 1492 patients) and validation (n = 372 patients) cohort were used for model training (with 10-fold cross-validation) and external validation respectively. RESULTS: In aggregate data meta-analysis (48 studies, 41,530 SVGs) the pooled estimate for early SVG occlusion was 11%. The developed IPD model for early SVG occlusion, which included clinical, anatomical, and operative characteristics (age, sex, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, serum creatinine, endoscopic vein harvesting, use of complex grafts, grafted target vessel, and number of SVGs), had good performance in the derivation (c-index = 0.744; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.701-0.774) and validation cohort (c-index = 0.734; 95% CI, 0.659-0.809). Based on this model. we constructed a simplified 12-variable risk score system (SAFINOUS score) with good performance for early SVG occlusion (c-index = 0.700, 95% CI, 0.684-0.716). CONCLUSIONS: From a large international IPD collaboration, we developed a novel risk score to assess the individualized risk for early SVG occlusion. The SAFINOUS risk score could be used to identify patients that are more likely to benefit from aggressive treatment strategies

Development of a risk score for early saphenous vein graft failure: An individual patient data meta-analysis

Objectives: Early saphenous vein graft (SVG) occlusion is typically attributed to technical factors. We aimed at exploring clinical, anatomical, and operative factors associated with the risk of early SVG occlusion (within 12 months postsurgery). Methods: Published literature in MEDLINE was searched for studies reporting the incidence of early SVG occlusion. Individual patient data (IPD) on early SVG occlusion were used from the SAFINOUS-CABG Consortium. A derivation (n = 1492 patients) and validation (n = 372 patients) cohort were used for model training (with 10-fold cross-validation) and external validation respectively. Results: In aggregate data meta-analysis (48 studies, 41,530 SVGs) the pooled estimate for early SVG occlusion was 11%. The developed IPD model for early SVG occlusion, which included clinical, anatomical, and operative characteristics (age, sex, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, serum creatinine, endoscopic vein harvesting, use of complex grafts, grafted target vessel, and number of SVGs), had good performance in the derivation (c-index = 0.744; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.701-0.774) and validation cohort (c-index = 0.734; 95% CI, 0.659-0.809). Based on this model. we constructed a simplified 12-variable risk score system (SAFINOUS score) with good performance for early SVG occlusion (c-index = 0.700, 95% CI, 0.684-0.716). Conclusions: From a large international IPD collaboration, we developed a novel risk score to assess the individualized risk for early SVG occlusion. The SAFINOUS risk score could be used to identify patients that are more likely to benefit from aggressive treatment strategies

Auburn-based Advantage Payroll Services was acquired by Rochester, NY-based Payc

Auburn-based Advantage Payroll Services was acquired by Rochester, NY-based Paychex Inc. for $240 million in cash and approximately$75 million to buy back preferred stock and repay outstanding loans

Comparison of carcass yield and meat composition of three classes of chicken

This study was designed to compare the carcass yield and meat composition of three classes of chicken. Twenty one (21) birds in total consisting of 7 birds each of broilers, cockerel and spent hens were purchased from a reputable farm in Aiyepe, Ogun State. Birds were acclimatized for two weeks under similar management before the commencement of the experiment with feed and water being provided ad-libitum. Subsequently, three birds from each chicken class were randomly selected and slaughtered for carcass yield and meat proximate composition analysis. Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in a Completely Randomized Design. Significant (p&lt;0.05) differences were observed for values recorded for live weight, head, shank, thigh, drumstick, liver, lungs and large intestine. Cockerel significantly (p&lt;0.05) recorded the highest (4.70%, 4.15%, 11.68%, 11.82%, and 0.65%, respectively) for head, shank, thighs, drumsticks and lungs, respectively compared to broiler and spent hen. However, liver and large intestine values were significantly (p&lt;0.05) highest in broiler chicken. Dry matter content of breast meat was significantly (p&lt;0.05) influenced with the highest value (27.35 %) recorded in spent hen and lowest (25.62 %) in broiler breast meat. Similarly, comparable ether extract content of thigh meat were obtained in cockerel and spent hen (2.89% and 2.83%, respectively) which are significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher than 2.72% recorded in broilers. Ash content of thigh meat was statistically similar in broiler and cockerel (1.12% and 1.17%) which were significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher than 1.03% in spent hen. In addition, statistically similar values for thigh fibre diameter were obtained in broiler and spent hen (2.60 mm and 2.56 mm, respectively) which were statistically (p&lt;0.05) lower than 2.68 mm recorded in cockerel thigh meat. Hence, cockerel chicken evidently had the highest carcass cut-up parts (head, shank, thigh and drumstick), thigh meat fibre diameter, fat and mineral contents than broilers and spent hen.Keywords: broiler chickens, spent hen, cockerel, carcass yield, muscle fibr