Sexual Selection and Bacteria

The role of symbiotic bacteria in determining their host’s phenotype has become increasingly apparent in recent times. These bacterial communities can influence a range of host traits and fitness correlates. Symbiotic bacteria can alter their host’s immune function, metabolism, reproductive fitness, sexual and social signals as well as behaviour. The amount of research into the host fitness effects of symbiotic bacterial is rapidly increasing, however; few studies are investigating how these effects vary across different host genotypes. This thesis investigates the relationship between host genetic background and bacterial symbionts across a range of sexually selected fitness measures in Drosophila simulans. We focused on two main types of bacterial symbionts; exosymbionts, that consisted of gut bacterial communities and surface bacteria that inhabit the fly cuticle, along with the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia pipentis. Wolbachiais known to influence host fitness in a range of ways that vary from parasitic to mutualistic. The nature of these effects has previously been found to depend on both the host and the strain of Wolbachia.Previous work has attributed fitness effects found when curing Wolbachia infection with antibiotics to the change in the Wolbachia infection status. Antibiotic treatment is likely to change other bacterial components of the microbiota alongside removing Wolbachia infection. In chapter 2 I found that antibiotic-caused male sexual-fitness rank changes across genotypes were caused by Wolbachia curing and not altering exosymbiotic bacterialcommunities. In Chapter 3 I found that the level of bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility suffered when mating with a standardised tester mate, was dependant on the genotype of the focal host. This effect was true for both focal males and females. In Chapter 4 I tested whether D. simulans populations evolving under elevated or relaxed natural and sexual selection for 38 generations differed in their gut bacterial communities. We found evolving under elevated sexual selection resulted in more diverse gut bacteria for males but not females. We also found sexual selection altered the gut bacterial community composition of both males and females. We found no effects of natural selection on gut microbial communities and no interaction between natural and sexual selection intensity on these communities. In Chapter 5 I found that altering exosymbiotic bacterial communities had fitness effects on both 3males and females. In females these effects were only present when the bacterial communities were altered,not if the bacteria were simply removed. In Chapter 6I found that Wolbachia infection affects female choosiness dependent on the females’genotype. Removing the exosymbiotic bacteria from females had no effect on their choosiness and genotype did not interact with this bacterial treatment. I also found that removing the symbiotic bacteria of females reduces their adult body size,however hosts infected withWolbachia did not experience the same body size reduction with exosymbiont removal. Symbiotic bacteria are playing an important role in many sexually selected fitness traits. The direction and scale of these fitness effects depend on the host’s genetic background. Sexual selection is also able to act on a host’s gut bacteria. This means that a host’s symbiotic bacteria are likely to play an important role in the evolutionary outcomes ofsexual selection. This thesis increases our understanding of the role symbiotic bacteria playinsexual selection.Natural Environment Research Council (NERC

Identification and chemical studies of pelagic masses of Sargassum natans (Linnaeus) Gaillon and S. fluitans (Borgessen) Borgesen (brown algae), found offshore in Ondo State, Nigeria

The pelagic seaweed found offshore and negatively impacting fishing activity in Ondo State Nigeria, has been identified to be a mixture of Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans which presumably floated from the Sagasso Sea of North Atlantic. In a bid to harness the potential uses of the seaweed biomass, the mixed Sargassum species were analyzed for the proximate composition, some minerals and phytochemical constituents using standard methods. The mixed Sargassum species contained 154 mg/100 g% protein, 86.5 mg/100 g ash content, 25.5 mg/100 g fat, 71.5 mg/100 g fibre and 573 mg/100 g carbohydrate. Thus it could be consumed by humans if cleaned. Owing to the small concentration of Nitrogen (6.3 mg/100 g), phosphorus (96.5 mg/100 g) potassium (28 mg/100 g), the percentage ratio of N-P-K (1-10-3) of Sargassum spp. was recommended as fertilizer. The presence of flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and saponins show that the species can be harnessed for their medicinal potentials. Keywords: Sargassum natans, Sargassum fluitans, brown algae, proximate analysis, phytochemical, fertilizer, NigeriaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(10), pp. 1188-1193, 5 March, 201

Can biogas digesters help to reduce deforestation in Africa?

Acknowledgements The authors are grateful for financial support for this work in part from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) New and Emerging Technologies Research Call, and in part from the EU under the REDD-ALERT (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation from Alternative Land Uses in Rainforests of the Tropics) project, Grant agreement number 226310. The authors thank Dr Hoang Viet Anh, Dr Suyanto and Mr. Gamma Galudra for their input on the manuscript.Peer reviewedPostprin

Finding a Nexus between Qualitative Education and the Intellectually Challenged Children in Nigeria: The School Libraries as Rescue Agents

The intellectually challenged children (children with intellectual disability) suffer from a condition which limits their capacity to learn and function in the society. Ensuring qualitative education for this category of children is still an herculean task in Nigeria as at today. Such children suffer from poor memory and have difficulties with abstract thinking and problem solving. Because the conventional educational system is built on skills such as comprehension, memory, abstract thinking and problem solving, intellectually challenged children are at a disadvantage of being excluded in an inclusive education system. In special education, teaching intellectually challenged children have over time evolved towards the use of methods such as the use of learning aids, scripting, experiential learning and scaffolding, reading strategies and bibliotherapy which the school libraries have strived to provide. This paper focuses on the effects of reread strategy and bibliotherapy on the IQ of intellectually challenged children. The paper is based mainly on a review of peer- reviewed journal articles and findings are used to discuss the topic

Racial Disparities in Acromegaly and Cushing\u27s Disease: A Referral Center Study in 241 Patients

Context: Acromegaly (ACM) and Cushing\u27s disease (CD) are caused by functioning pituitary adenomas secreting growth hormone and ACTH respectively. Objective: To determine the impact of race on presentation and postoperative outcomes in adults with ACM and CD, which has not yet been evaluated. Methods: This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients operated at a large-volume pituitary center. We evaluated (1) racial distribution of patients residing in the metropolitan area (Metro, N=124) vs 2010 US census data, and(2) presentation and postoperative outcomes in Black vs White for patients from the entire catchment area (N=241). Results: For Metro area (32.4% Black population), Black patients represented 16.75% ACM (P=.006) and 29.2% CD (P=.56). Among the total 112 patients with ACM, presentations with headaches or incidentaloma were more common in Black patients (76.9% vs 31% White, P=.01). Black patients had a higher prevalence of diabetes (54% vs 16% White, P=.005), significantly lower interferon insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 deviation from normal (P=.03) and borderline lower median growth hormone levels (P=.09). Mean tumor diameter and proportion of tumors with cavernous sinus invasion were similar. Three-month biochemical remission (46% Black, 55% White, P=.76) and long-term IGF-1 control by multimodality therapy (92.3% Black, 80.5% White, P=.45) were similar. Among the total 129 patients with CD, Black patients had more hypopituitarism (69% vs 45% White, P=.04) and macroadenomas (33% vs 15% White, P=.05). At 3 months, remission rate was borderline higher in White (92% vs 78% Black, P=0.08), which was attributed to macroadenomas by logistic regression. Conclusion: We identified disparities regarding racial distribution, and clinical and biochemical characteristics in ACM, suggesting late or missed diagnosis in Black patients. Large nationwide studies are necessary to confirm our findings

MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE MECHANISM OF LEAF PAIR UNROLLING IN URARIA PICTA (JACQ.) DESV. EX DC. (PAPILIONACEAE), A MEDICINAL PLANT IN NIGERIA

Uraria picta leaf-pair unrolling inside out is a remarkable feat. A leaf-pair was investigated to understand the mechanism of spontaneous reverse inside out act of the plant. The upper (adaxial) and lower (abaxial) surfaces of the leaf-pair were examined using scanning and light microscopy. The scan showed diversity of hairs varying in shape from straight, pointed, curve, and club to hook. There were deposits of wax on both sides of the leaf-pair. The light microscope showed hairs are restricted to the midrib on the adaxial surface of the leaflets missing. Hooked hairs dominated the entire abaxial surface of the leaflets. The transverse section of the midrib section showed abundance of structural and mechanical tissues, collenchyma and sclerenchyma tissues. Both morphological and anatomical attributes were used to explain the mechanism and how the plant got its Yoruba vernacular name ‘Alupayida’ as well as its purported use in changing the sex of the unborn child and in breaking up love affairs

Life after lockdown: Zooming out on perceptions in the post-videoconferencing era

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply disrupted daily life across the globe, with profound effects on mental and physical health. After more than a year of isolation and communication via videoconferencing, people are returning to in-person activities. Objective: This study aimed to investigate worsening self-perception, mental health, and anxiety with the return to in-person activities, with a focus on the influence of videoconferencing, social media, and the use of filters. Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed online through social media platforms and student network pages. Results: A total of 7295 participants responded to the survey. Seventy-one precent reported anxiety or stress related to returning to in-person activities, and nearly 64% sought mental health support services. Thirty-percent stated they plan to invest in their appearance as a coping strategy to deal with the anxiety of returning to in-person, and \u3e 30% plan to take action in changing their appearance. The most reported dermatologic concerns were skin discoloration (32.36%), wrinkles (24.45%), and acne (14.85%). The prevalence of anxiety and mental health services increased relative to the use of filters in 18- to 24 year-olds. Conclusion: This survey study of \u3e 7000 participants across the country elucidates worsening self-perception, anxiety, and mental health as we return to in-person activities in relation to increased videoconferencing, social media usage, and the use of filters. Physicians should be aware of these effects to better serve their patients

SOCIAL AND ERGONOMIC EVALUATION OF MOTORCYCLE PROTECTIVE ISOLATION SHIELD FOR REDUCING COMMUNITY SPREAD OF COVID-19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have rapidly evolved into a situation with profound effects on lifestyle and travel worldwide, ranging from a dramatic decrease in the patronage of formal public transport modes to an unprecedented increase in the usage of informal public transport modes. It is the main goal of this study to adapt a Motorcycle Protective Isolation Shield (MPIS) on a motorcycle for the reduction of community spread of COVID-19. MPIS was designed according to the anthropometry data obtained from motorcycle riders and passengers; and was fabricated using locally available materials. Anthropometry data used for the MPIS frame were sitting height (SH) and popliteal height (PH) of both motorcycle riders and passengers while seat depth (SD) of motorcycle riders and buttock knee length (BKL) of motorcycle passengers were used to locate the position of the MPIS mounted on the motorcycle. The 50% of the anthropometry data used for the design of MPIS is SH=800.00 mm, PH=500.00 mm, SD=300.00 mm and BKL=550.00 mm. The uncertainty modelling of motorcycle accident occurrence reveals the effect of higher speeds and the adapted MPIS during riding. The probability of occurrence of fatal crash, major crash and minor crash of motorcycle accident was 36.3%, 35.3% and 28.4%, respectively. The MPIS showed satisfactory post-riding assessment in terms of riding stability; riding, steering, and sitting convenience; and riding comfort for both the riders and passengers. It will be a good protection for motorcycle riders against the risk of COVID-19 and other air-borne infections

Importance of short-term temporal variability in soil physical properties for soil water modelling under different tillage practices

Acknowledgements This study was part of the Red Soils CZO and MIDST-CZ projects funded by the National Environment Research Council (grants NE/N007611/1 and NE/S009167/1) and the National Sciences Foundation of China (NSFC: 41571130051, 41571130053, 41371235). The 596 experiments in Scotland had financial support from the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government.Peer reviewedPostprin

Surgery for acromegaly: Indications and goals

Acromegaly is a disease that occurs secondary to high levels of GH, most often from a hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma, with multisystem adverse effects. Diagnosis includes serum GH and IGF-1 levels, and obtaining an MRI pituitary protocol to assess for a functional pituitary adenoma. Attempted gross total resection of the GH-secreting adenoma is the gold standard in treatment for patients with acromegaly for a goal of biochemical remission. Medical and radiation therapies are available when patients do not achieve biochemical cure after surgical therapy