Effects of temperature on the germination, sporulation, and in - vivo infection of Sphaerotheca fuliginea (powdery mildew) on water melon (Citrullus lanathus. L)

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of temperature and on the germination, sporulation and in vivo infection of Sphaerotheca fuliginea on healthy water melon. The experiment was laid out in completely Randomized Design (CRD) in the laboratory with 5 replications in each case. Mycelium growth was observed to be highest with 20°C and the control. This was also with 40°C. At 50° however there was no mycelium growth. Significant difference (P<0.05) was observed among the temperature levels on mycelium length with highest length observed at 20°C, but least was at 40°C. Temperature influence on mycelium width had not shown any significant difference (P>0.05). Spores are formed at all temperature levels, with highest spores’ number obtained at 20°C, and least was observed at 50°C. The highest effect of temperature on disease incidence was observed at 20°C (85%) and also at 20ºC, while lowest percentage was at 40°C and 50°C. On the disease severity the highest temperature effect was obtained at 20°C, 30°C, and at optimum temperature 25°C (4, severe infection), while at 40°C was (1, i.e. Mild infection) and at 50°C was observed to be no infection, significant differences (P<0.05) was not shown among the temperature levels on disease severity. Therefore, understanding the optimum ranges of temperature for the development of powdery mildew fungus, May minimized the high rate of infection to occur as well as damages caused on Water Melon.Key words. Sporulation, In vivo, Spaerotheca fuliginea, Mycelium, Temperature

Evaluating the Problems of Population Resettlement from the Construction of Shiroro Hydropower Project, Nigeria

This study focused on the evaluation on the problems of population Resettlement from the construction of Shiroro Hydropower Project, Nigeria. Two villages (Zumba and GaladimaKogo) directly affected, were selected for the household questionnaire survey and interview schedule. The results indicates that environmental problems such as deforestation, erosion, land degradation and flooding as major problems affecting the livelihood of the communities in the study area were identified. The presence of the lake increased the rate and incidence of water-related diseases such as malaria, Cholera, river blindness and bilharzias. With respect to resettlement only 46% of the populations were compensated, the remaining 54% are yet to be compensated 24 years after the dam commenced operation. Conclusively, the people were only evacuated and displaced from their ancestral homes without been properly resettled and compensated for their social, economic and material loses. It is recommended that dam operators and regulatory authorities meet up their commitments to properly resettle and compensate the affected communities

Cadmium geochemistry and groundwater pollution status evaluation using indexing and spatial analysis for Keffe community and Environs Sokoto Basin, North Western Nigeria

Representative groundwater samples were collected from the Kaffe community and environs to evaluate the concentrations and geochemical constraints for mobilizing cadmium (Cd) and selected heavy metals. Field-based in-situ measurements of physicochemical parameters were combined with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer analysis of dissolved elemental concentrations. Pollution indices (i.e. heavy metal pollution index; HPI, heavy metal evaluation index; HEI, contamination degree; Cd, metal index; MI, synthetic pollution index; SPI, ecological risk index; ERI and Nemerow index; NI) evaluations highlighted the levels of heavy metals in the groundwater. Cadmium and iron (Fe) concentrations exceeded the recommended limits in 97% of the analysed samples, with an average pH of 6.3. Strong positive correlations were observed between cadmium and the computed pollution indices (p 0.774 to p 0.100), suggesting significant Cd pollution of the groundwater. Components analysis grouped Cd, Fe, and the pollution indices in the first PC. This was favourably compared to the correlation analysis result. Cluster analysis categorized Cd, Zn and pH in the first cluster consistent with the suggested dissolution and enrichment of Cd and Zn in the groundwater under similar geochemical conditions. The study area is medium and moderately polluted based on HPI, HEI, Cd, and NI

GNAQ and GNA11 mutations and downstream YAP activation in choroidal nevi

Dermatology-oncolog

GNAQ and GNA11 mutations and downstream YAP activation in choroidal nevi

Background: Mutations in GNAQ/11 genes are considered an early event in the development of uveal melanoma that may derive from a pre-existing nevus. The Hippo pathway, by way of YAP activation, rather than MAP kinase, has a role in the oncogenic capacity of GNAQ/11 mutations.Methods: We investigated 16 nevi from 13 human eyes for driver GNAQ/11 mutations using droplet digital PCR and determined whether nevi are clonal by quantifying mutant nevus cell fractions. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 15 nevi to analyse YAP activation.Results: For 15 out of 16 nevi, a GNAQ/11 mutation was detected in the nevus cells albeit at a low frequency with a median of 13%. Nuclear YAP, a transcriptional co-activator in the Hippo tumour-suppressor pathway, was detected in 14/15 nevi.Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that a mutation in GNAQ/11 occurs in a subset of choroidal nevus cells. We hypothesise that GNAQ/11 mutant-driven extracellular mitogenic signalling involving YAP activation leads to accumulation of wild-type nevus cells

Determinants of stillbirths in Katsina, Nigeria: a hospital-based study

Every year, about 3 million stillbirths occur globally, almost a third occurring during the intra-partum period. Almost all stillbirths (98%) occur in low and middle income countries, with Nigeria having the third largest burden. The aim of this study was to determine the stillbirth rate and its determinants in the Federal Medical Centre Katsina, located in north western Nigeria. This study was a retrospective review of all deliveries conducted between 1st March 2010 and 31st December 2012 in Federal Medical Centre Katsina. Data were extracted from labor room and theatre records, and patient folders. Cases were matched with controls by booking status. The privacy and confidentiality of information retrieved from cases and controls was also ensured by anonymizing the data retrieved. No conflict of interest was identified. The data was analyzed with SPSS 20. During the period under review, there were 6628 deliveries, out of which 331 of the products were stillborn. The stillbirth rate was 46.9±3.6 per 1000 deliveries. Determinants of stillbirths were antepartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, uterine rupture, low birth weight and congenital fetal malformations. The study highlighted the poor perinatal health in the study population

Assessment of Serum Levels of Ionized Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphate, Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in ABUTH, Zaria

No Abstract

Seroprevalence of brucellosis in donkeys (Equus asinus) and assessment of donkey management practices in Gamawa local government area, Bauchi state, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in donkeys (Equus asinus) and its association with donkey management practices in Gamawa Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Serum Agglutination Test (SAT). A total of 1000 donkeys were sampled comprising of 585 males and 415 females. Two hundred donkeys were sampled from each of the five clusters in the study area viz: Gamawa East, Gamawa West, Udubo East, Udubo West and donkey Market. Simple percentages and chi-square (χ2) test were used to analyzed the data by subjecting it to SPSS-16 statistical software. The overall prevalence of brucellosis in donkeys was 114 (11.4%), out of which 51 (8.7%) males and 63 (15.2%) females were positive. Prevalence of Brucellosis was higher in females 63 (15.2%) than males. Breed of donkeys has significant influence on prevalence of brucellosis. Prevalence was higher among ≥7 age group 16 (19.8%) than in 5-6, 3-4 and ≤2 age groups (P<0.01) and in donkey market 34 (17%) than the other locations (P<0.05). It can be concluded from the findings of this study that there is 11.4% prevalence of brucellosis among donkeys in the study area with higher prevalence in female donkeys, older donkeys and donkey market. Keywords: Seroprevalence, Brucellosis, Donkey, (RBPT), (SAT), Gamaw

Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in Nigeria, 1994–2015: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: The Global significance of schistosomiasis started waning over the years owing to its eradication in most developed societies, until the reawaking of global attention and it now occupies a prominent place amongst the neglected tropical diseases (NTD). The aim of our study was to accurately estimate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in Nigeria, and its six geo-political zones. Subjects and methods: We utilized electronic databases to search and select studies on prevalence across the geographical zones between 1994 and 2015. STATA 10 Random effects meta-analysis of observational studies was used to generate our estimates. Result: Sixty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The unified pooled population studied was 47,440 (n = 14,888 persons). The pooled prevalence]) of Schistosoma haematobium infestation was, for all regions = 34.7% (31.0–38.5) (95% confidence interval [CI)). Conclusion: Schistosomal infestations remain hyperendemic in Nigeria. Nigeria must, therefore, expedite the execution of resolution WHA66.12 adopted by the World Health Assembly on NTD

Spatial modelling indicates Striga seedbank density dependence on rainfall and soil traits in the savannas of northern Nigeria

Striga is one of most notorious weeds devastating crop production in the dry savannas of northern Nigeria. The weed attacks most cultivated cereals and legumes with crop losses as high as 100% when no control measure is employed. Studies conducted in the dry savannas of Nigeria indicated that Striga seedbank is strongly related to soil and climate properties. This study was conducted to model Striga hermonthica seedbank zones in the dry savannas of Nigeria based on soil and climate properties of the areas. Using multi-stage spatial sampling, 169 soil samples were collected at the centroids of 25 25 km grids across the study area and analysed for physico-chemical properties. The number of Striga seeds were counted from the soil samples using water elutriator and potassium bicarbonate method. Daily temperature, relative humidity and rainfall for each point were downloaded from Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS). Minimum and maximum temperatures, and relative humidity were accessed from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA POWER). Thresholds of various soil and climate variables for optimum concentration of Striga seedbank were analysed using boundary line analysis (BLA). From the BLA, optimum amount of rainfall for high Striga seedbank was 549 mm per annum. While temperature has a wide suitability range for Striga seedbank development. Principal component analysis was used to reduce dimensionality of the dataset into principal components (PCs). Seven PCs which explained 75.6% variation in the data were retained and used in the weighed overlay modelling (WOM). The weighted overlay map produced five distinct Striga seedbank zones; very low, low, moderate, high and very high. More than 60% of the study area had moderate to high Striga seedbanks. The zones vary mostly based on soil, climate and Striga seed count. The establishment of the optimum levels of the environmental factors at which Striga seedbank is favoured will assist in designing a more site-specific Striga management. However, for scalability purpose, adoption of the Striga zoning approach can be useful