Effects of ficus exasperata vahl. (moraceae) leaf aqueous extract on the renal function of streptozotocin-treated rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible reno-protective effect of Ficus exasperata leaf aqueous extract (FEE) in a rat experimental paradigm of diabetes mellitus. Forty Wistar rats (weighing 200–230 g) were divided into four (A, B, C, and D) groups, each group consisting of 10 rats. Group A rats served as ‘control’ animals and received citrate buffer (pH 6.3) solution in quantities equivalent to intraperitoneally-administered volumes of streptozotocin (STZ) and FEE. Diabetes mellitus was induced in Groups B and C rats by intraperitoneal injections of STZ (75 mg/kg). Group C rats were additionally treated with FEE (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) 4 weeks post STZ injections, for 4 consecutive weeks. Group D rats received FEE (100 mg/kg/day p.o.) only for 4 weeks. Post-euthanisation, kidney tissues were excised for histopathological evaluation and processed for light microscopy. Plasma malondialdehyde and tissue nitric oxide were determined. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, nitrite, and albumin concentrations were measured for the evaluation of renal function. The diabetic rats significantly lost more weight and their blood glucose levels were significantly elevated as compared to the ‘control’ group of animals. Renal dysfunction was evidenced by kidney hypertrophy, decreased renal blood flow, and increased serum creatinine and nitrite concentrations. Furthermore, vascular dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased carotid blood flow, was observed in the diabetic rats. FEE treatment positively ameliorated the alterations in the biochemical variables in the STZ + FEE-treated rats. In conclusion, our findings suggest that FEE treatment ameliorates STZ-induced nephrotoxicity

Correlation and path coefficient analysis of top-cross and three-way cross hybrid maize populations

Open Access JournalGrain yield is a complex quantitative trait that depends on a number of other traits for selection. This study was carried out to reveal the pattern of association with and contribution of traits to grain yield in two maize populations evaluated in three agro-ecological zones of South-Western Nigeria during the 2014 cropping season. The experiment consisted of 10 top-cross and 10 three-way cross maize hybrids, laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients and path co-efficient analyses were performed for each hybrid population across the three locations. Results showed significant (p≤0.05) differences between the two hybrid populations for all the traits mentioned except days to 50% anthesis, ear diameter and 100-grain weight. Field weight in both hybrid populations, number of kernel rows per cob, ear diameter and ear height in top-cross hybrids, as well as ear length and 100-grain weight in the three-way cross hybrids were directly correlated with grain yield. The link between direct and indirect effects on grain yield depends on hybrid population, although some traits showed similar direct effects in both hybrid populations. These traits can be used as the main criteria for grain yield improvement in the respective hybrid populations

Estimating genetic gains for tolerance to stress combinations in tropical maize hybrids

Open Access Journal; Published online: 08 Dec 2022Maize is a strategic food crop in sub-Saharan Africa. However, most maize growing tropical savannas particularly in West and Central African experience the occurrence of frequent droughts and Striga infestation, resulting in 30–100% yield losses. This production zones need maize cultivars that combine tolerance to the two stresses. IITA in collaboration with national partners has thus employed a sequential selection scheme to incorporate both drought tolerance and Striga resistance in topical maize hybrids using reliable screening protocols. The main objective of the present study was therefore to use grain yield and other agronomic traits recorded in regional collaborative hybrid trials conducted for 8 years under manged stressful and non-stressful conditions and across rainfed field environments to estimate genetic gains in grain yields using mixed model analyses. The results showed significant (p < 0.05) annual yield gains of 11.89 kg ha−1 under manged drought stress (MDS) and 86.60 kg ha−1 under Striga infestation (STRIN) with concomitant yield increases of 62.65 kg ha−1 under full irrigation (WW), 102.44 kg ha−1 under Striga non-infested (STRNO) conditions and 53.11 kg ha−1 across rainfed field environments. Grain yield displayed significant but not strong genetic correlation of 0.41 ± 0.07 between MDS and STRIN, indicating that gene expression was not consistent across the two stress conditions. Furthermore, grain yield recorded in MET had significant moderate genetic correlations of 0.58 ± 0.06 and 0.44 ± 0.07It with MDS and STRIN, respectively. These results emphasize the need to screen inbred linens under both stress conditions to further enhance the rate of genetic gain in grain yield in hybrids for areas where the two stresses co-occur. Nonetheless, this study demonstrated that the sequential selection scheme has been successful in generating hybrids with dependable yields that can reduce chronic food deficits in rural communities experiencing simultaneous presence of drought and S. hermonthica infestation in their production fields

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Profile of intestinal parasites among nomadic Fulani in Kwara State, Nigeria

Parasitic infections are endemic worldwide and have been described as constituting the greatest single cause of illness and disease especially in the tropics. Fulani herdsmen belong to a tribe that lives a secluded life style with little information on their intestinal parasitic infections status. This study aimed at assessing the burden of intestinal parasites and risk factors associated with intestinal parasites transmission among Fulani herdsmen in Kwara State. Stool samples were collected from patients that attended three primary healthcare facilities in Ifelodun Local Government Area and one hospital in Moro Local Government Area. The 505 stool samples were collected and examined by both wet mount preparation and formol-ether concentration methods. Questionnaire on bio-data and other information on factors associated with transmission of intestinal parasitic infections was administered on the patients. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 60.4% among the Fulani. High proportion of the patients had coccidian parasites such as Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and Isospora, than other protozoan and helminthic parasites. Factors like unsafe water sources, improper disposal of human and animal wastes, drinking unpasteurized fresh milk and poor personal hygiene were considered contributing factors to the high prevalence of intestinal parasites among the nomad Fulani. The study provided a new insight into burden of intestinal parasites among Fulani herdsmen and factors associated with their transmission and spread.Keywords: Nomadic Fulani; faecal samples; intestinal parasite; coccidian parasites; Kwara Stat