Variation in fruit traits of pawpaw under different rates of poultry manure

Twelve pawpaw (Carica papaya L.) accessions were evaluated at Nsukka (Latitude 6°51′28″ N Longitude 7°23′44″ E at an elevation of 423 m above sea level), Nigeria, under three poultry manure (PM) rates (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1) in order to study the effect of the manure variation on fruit traits. The experiment was a split plot laid out in randomised complete block design replicated thrice. Main plot treatment was poultry manure rates and sub-plot treatment was the 12 accessions of pawpaw. Data on percent number of fruited plants, number of fruits harvested, true-to-type fruit pulp colour and fruit shape were collected. The effect of accession showed that Cnd-Cl-Ro significantly (p ≤ 0.05) produced the highest number of fruited plants (80.0%). Number of fruits harvested was highest in accessions Ijm-Cl-Ro and Ijm-Sp-Ly (6.8). Accession Ijm-Sp-Ly had highest fruits with similar pulp colour and fruit shape (53.3%) to the initial. Application of 10 t ha-1 of PM significantly produced the highest number of fruited plants (60.0%) and fruits harvested (4.4) but did not significantly affect true-to-type fruit pulp colour and shape

Generativity Among Elderly in a Rural Area of Maharashtra, India: Correlates and Relationship With Quality of Life Approved

Generativity, “a concern for others and a need to contribute something to the next generation,” is a dimension of successful aging in and of itself, but also predicts other positive health outcomes. We examine its manifestations and correlates among elderly in rural India and assess the association between generativity and quality of life (QoL). Three hundred and forty-eight rural Indian elderly completed an interviewer-assisted questionnaire assessing generativity, QoL, and other personal and familial factors. Regression models were used to examine potential correlates of generativity and the relationship between generativity and QoL. Higher education, inheritance income, more living children, and a son/daughter living in the home predicted higher levels of generativity. Higher levels of generativity were associated with higher QoL. There are both personal and familial correlates of generativity, and family relationships are important for generative development. Family-oriented interventions to increase generativity among elderly Indians could improve QoL

Paediatric brought-in-dead at a tertiary health facility in South western Nigeria: Patterns and drivers

Background: ‘Brought- in-dead’ (BID) refers to the demise of an individual before presentation to a health facility. This study assessed the pattern of paediatric BID cases seen at a tertiary health facility in southwest Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was done at the Children Emergency Ward (CEW) of the hospital between January 2014 and December 2018. The patterns of BID cases and presumed causes of death were determined using a standardized checklist adapted from the WHO verbal autopsy instrument. Results: Ninety-eight BID cases were seen during the study, constituting 2.5% of total patients seen during the period. The median (IQR) age of cases was 24.0 (8.75 – 63.0) months and 72.4% were under-fives. Most had symptoms related to the haematologic (36.7%), respiratory (24.5%) or digestive (20.4%) systems. Severe anaemia 31(31.6%), gastroenteritis 19 (19.4) and aspiration 17 (17.3%) were the most common causes of death. The median (IQR) duration of illness before presentation was 3.0 (1.0 – 7.0) days but most presented from 4 – 7 days of illness. A significant relationship was found between the duration of illness and whether or not pre-hospital treatment was received (p < 0.0001). Unprescribed drugs purchased over the counter were the most commonly used treatment in 79.1% of cases (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: This study has highlighted the prevalence and pattern of paediatric BID in a tertiary health facility in southwest Nigeria and the factors that were associated with it. More efforts need to be geared towards community sensitization and pediatric health care to prevent factors drivingits menace

Reduced Plasma Levels of 25-Hydroxycholesterol and Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Bile Acid Precursors in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). We have measured the levels of over 20 non-esterified sterols in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients suffering from MS, inflammatory CNS disease, neurodegenerative disease and control patients. Analysis was performed following enzyme-assisted derivatisation by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) exploiting multistage fragmentation (MS n ). We found increased concentrations of bile acid precursors in CSF from each of the disease states and that patients with inflammatory CNS disease classified as suspected autoimmune disease or of unknown aetiology also showed elevated concentrations of 25-hydroxycholestertol (25-HC, P < 0.05) in CSF. Cholesterol concentrations in CSF were not changed except for patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (P < 0.01) or pathogen-based infections of the CNS (P < 0.05) where they were elevated. In plasma, we found that 25-HC (P < 0.01), (25R)26-hydroxycholesterol ((25R)26-HC, P < 0.05) and 7α-hydroxy-3-oxocholest-4-enoic acid (7αH,3O-CA, P < 0.05) were reduced in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients compared to controls. The pattern of reduced plasma levels of 25-HC, (25R)26-HC and 7αH,3O-CA was unique to RRMS. In summary, in plasma, we find that the concentration of 25-HC in RRMS patients is significantly lower than in controls. This is consistent with the hypothesis that a lower propensity of macrophages to synthesise 25-HC will result in reduced negative feedback by 25-HC on IL-1 family cytokine production and exacerbated MS. In CSF, we find that the dominating metabolites reflect the acidic pathway of bile acid biosynthesis and the elevated levels of these in CNS disease is likely to reflect cholesterol release as a result of demyelination or neuronal death. 25-HC is elevated in patients with inflammatory CNS disease probably as a consequence of up-regulation of the type 1 interferon-stimulated gene cholesterol 25-hydroxylase in macrophage

Carbapenem resistance expressed by Gram-negative bacilli isolated from a cohort of Libyan patients

Background and objectives: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and other Gram-negative bacteria are among the most common pathogens responsible for both community and hospital acquired infection. The global spread of cephalosporinases in Enterobacteriaceae has led to the increased use of carbapenems resulting in the emergence and rapid spread of CRE. This has become an alarming public health concern, yet the condition in Libya remains unclear. The aim of this study was to obtain a better understanding of CRE strains prevalent in Libyan patients by investigating their phenotypic characteristics and antibiograms. Methods: Gram-negative bacterial species were collected from Misrata Central Hospital, Misrata Cancer Centre and Privet Pathology Laboratories. Clinical samples and swabs were obtained from hospitalised and non-hospitalised patients and from mechanical ventilation and suction machines. Patients who had received antibiotic therapy for at least three days prior to the study were excluded. The identification and characterization of the isolated species were achieved using the growth characteristics on MacConkey and blood agar, spot tests and API 20E or API 20NE biochemical testing systems. Screening for carbapenem resistance was performed using the disk diffusion method with carbapenem 10 μg and cephalosporin 30 μg disks and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined using the Sensititre Gram-negative Xtra plate format (GNX2F). All strains demonstrating resistance or reduced susceptibility to one of the four carbapenems were subjected to carbapenememase activity detection using the RAPIDEC CARBA NP test, Modified Hodge test and carbapenem inactivation methods. Results: A total of one hundred and forty isolates representing fourteen bacterial species were isolated from 140 non-duplicated specimens. Clinical specimens included urine samples (96/140, 68.57%), sputum (15/140, 10.71%), surgical wound swabs (18/140, 12.85%), foot swabs from diabetes mellitus (DM) patients (6/140, 4.29%), ear swabs (3/140, 2.14%) and wound swabs (2/140, 1.43%). Thirty-four (24.29%) isolates demonstrated resistance to at least one of the four carbapenems with Klebsiella pneumoniae representing 73.53% (25 isolates) of all carbapenem resistant species, followed by 8.82% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3 isolates), 5.88% for both Proteus mirabilis (2 isolates) and Escherichia coli (2 isolates) and 2.94% for both Citrobacter koseri (1 isolate) and Rahnella aquatilis (1 isolate). The other isolates were either susceptible or cephalosporinase producers. Conclusion: This study has revealed the high rate of carbapenem resistance amongst Libyan patients and emphasizes the crucial need for accurate screening, identification and susceptibility testing to prevent further spread of nosocomial and community acquired resistance. This may be achieved through the establishment of antibiotic stewardship programmes along with firm infection control practices.National Research Foundation of South Africa; Libyan GovernmentWeb of Scienc

Structural properties and phase transitions in a silica clathrate

Melanophlogite, a low-pressure silica polymorph, has been extensively studied at different temperatures and pressures by molecular dynamics simulations. While the high-temperature form is confirmed as cubic, the low-temperature phase is found to be slightly distorted, in agreement with experiments. With increasing pressure, the crystalline character is gradually lost. At 8 GPa, the radial distribution function is consistent with an amorphous state. Like pristine glass, the topology changes, plastic behavior, and permanent densification appear above ∼12 GPa, triggered by Si coordination number changes. We predict that a partial crystalline and amorphous sample can be obtained by recovering the sample from a pressure of ∼12–16 GPa

Evaluation of Some Morphological and Yield Component Traits Relationship to Soybean Seed Yield.

Studies on soybean seed yield in relation to morphological and yield component traits under different population and phosphorus levels was carried out at the University of Ilorin Teaching and Research farm, Ilorin Lat 80 29, N long 40 35 E Nigeria; over two years 2005 and 2006.Three soybean varieties at three population densities and four phosphorus levels were factorially combined in a randomized complete block and replicated four times. The result showed that the highest contribution to seed yield plant-1 was recorded in pod weight with coefficient of determination R2 = 0.998 while the lowest was observed in harvest index with R2 value of 0.078. Number of seeds and pods plant-1 with R2 value of 0.937 and 0.884 respectively, ranked second and third in their contributions to soybean seed yield plant1 in the study area. The regression equations for the combined morphological and yield component traits further showed that yield component traits with R2 value of 0.999 contributed more to seed yield than morphological traits with R2 value of 0.713. Invariably, the regression equation truly represented the relationships. Of the yield components traits, pods weight, number of pods and seeds plants-1 contributed more to the determination of soybean seed yield plant-1 than the other measured traits. These traits are therefore, considered as good indices for soybean breeders in varietal development, improvement and selection programme. It could also be a good indicator for soybean producers in variety selection for planting to increase yield in the study area. Key words: Coefficient of determination, yield components, pod, soybean, seed yield

Studies on the Comparative Toxicity of Jatrophacurcas and Synthetic Nematicide on the Root-Knot Nematode Infected Sweet Pepper (Capsicum Annuum)

Meloidogynesppwas investigated in screen house experiments using potted plants. The carbofuran, a synthetic nematicide was applied at the rate of 3kg ai/ha (0.5g/stand). The plant powder material were applied as soil amendment and was incorporated into the soil at the rate of 5tons/ha (25g per stand). While the test plant liquid extracts were applied to the soil at the rate of 30ml per pot. Also the test plant ethanoic-extract was applied to the soil at the rate 30ml per pot. There were also untreated controls which serve as standard check. The experiment was carried out as a 5 x 2 x 5 factorial experiment fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design. The results showed that the plant materials used in this study was effective to different extents against the target nematode Meloidogynespp. as it reduced the incidence and adverse effects on the growth and yield performance of sweet pepper Capsicum annum. All the measured parameters except root gall rating were significantly higher for treated plant than for untreated ones (i.e control). The result further showed that the treatments had significant effect on number of leaves, plant height, number of branches, days to 50% plant flowering, shoot weight, root weight, fruit weight, number of fruit/pot and gall indices compared to untreated control plant. The roots of the treated plants were significantly less galled than those of the control. Phytochemical screening showed that the plant materials contained carbohydrate, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoid and saponins which are known to be effectively lethal to most micro-organisms, nematode inclusive. Meloidogynesppwas investigated in screen house experiments using potted plants. The carbofuran, a synthetic nematicide was applied at the rate of 3kg ai/ha (0.5g/stand). The plant powder material were applied as soil amendment and was incorporated into the soil at the rate of 5tons/ha (25g per stand). While the test plant liquid extracts were applied to the soil at the rate of 30ml per pot. Also the test plant ethanoic-extract was applied to the soil at the rate 30ml per pot. There were also untreated controls which serve as standard check. The experiment was carried out as a 5 x 2 x 5 factorial experiment fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design. The results showed that the plant materials used in this study was effective to different extents against the target nematode Meloidogynespp. as it reduced the incidence and adverse effects on the growth and yield performance of sweet pepper Capsicum annum. All the measured parameters except root gall rating were significantly higher for treated plant than for untreated ones (i.e control). The result further showed that the treatments had significant effect on number of leaves, plant height, number of branches, days to 50% plant flowering, shoot weight, root weight, fruit weight, number of fruit/pot and gall indices compared to untreated control plant. The roots of the treated plants were significantly less galled than those of the control. Phytochemical screening showed that the plant materials contained carbohydrate, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoid and saponins which are known to be effectively lethal to most micro-organisms, nematode inclusive. Meloidogynesppwas investigated in screen house experiments using potted plants. The carbofuran, a synthetic nematicide was applied at the rate of 3kg ai/ha (0.5g/stand). The plant powder material were applied as soil amendment and was incorporated into the soil at the rate of 5tons/ha (25g per stand). While the test plant liquid extracts were applied to the soil at the rate of 30ml per pot. Also the test plant ethanoic-extract was applied to the soil at the rate 30ml per pot. There were also untreated controls which serve as standard check. The experiment was carried out as a 5 x 2 x 5 factorial experiment fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design. The results showed that the plant materials used in this study was effective to different extents against the target nematode Meloidogynespp. as it reduced the incidence and adverse effects on the growth and yield performance of sweet pepper Capsicum annum. All the measured parameters except root gall rating were significantly higher for treated plant than for untreated ones (i.e control). The result further showed that the treatments had significant effect on number of leaves, plant height, number of branches, days to 50% plant flowering, shoot weight, root weight, fruit weight, number of fruit/pot and gall indices compared to untreated control plant. The roots of the treated plants were significantly less galled than those of the control. Phytochemical screening showed that the plant materials contained carbohydrate, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoid and saponins which are known to be effectively lethal to most micro-organisms, nematode inclusive

Growth and Yield Performance of Early Maturing Maize Cultivars as Influenced by Different NPK Fertilizer in Kabba, Kogi State, Nigeria

The experiment was carried out for two consecutive growing seasons (2016 and 2017) at the Research Site of Agronomy Section, College of Agriculture, Kabba to evaluate the growth and yield performance of early maturing maize cultivars as influenced by different NPK fertiliser in Kabba, Kogi State, Nigeria. The experiment was a split plot in a randomised complete block design with three replicates. The main plot treatments were the compoundfertilizer, and the subplot treatments were the four maize cultivars. Data were collected from fifteen randomly selected plants in each plot. Data were taken on the basis of agronomic traits such as on plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches, stem girth, leave the area, number of seeds per pod and number of seeds per cob. All the data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the significance of variations among the treatments and means were separated using Least Significance Difference (LSD) test at 5% level of probability. From the result of the experiment, the following conclusions were drawn: The early maturing cultivar performed significantly better than the local cultivar (gorogoro) in both growth and yield. Among the early maturing cultivar planted, sammaz 39 recorded the highest yield. Plots with fertiliser application recorded better growth and yield compared to the no fertiliser plots irrespective of the fertiliser used. Among the compound fertilisers, plots with NPK 15-15-15 showed greater growth and yield performance in this experiment. Farmers in the study area should plant sammaz 39 and amend the soil with NPK 15-15-15 fertiliser for optimum yield of maize