Evaluation of soybean lines for resistance to rust (phakopsorapachyrhizi)

Among the diseases that can reduce soybean production is rust disease caused by the fungus Phakopsorapachyrhizi. The aim is to evaluate the resistance of soybean genotypes to rust disease and to study there interactions between agronomic traits. The study was conducted at field and screen house in the University of Agriculture Makurdibetween julyto november2016. A total of 10 soybean genotypes were evaluated for resistance to rust disease. After inoculation in the laboratory, three lines TGX-1835-10E, TGX-1987-10F and TGX1945-4F showed a consistent moderate resistance to Phakopsorapachyrhizi. These soybeanGenotypeowered earlier and had the highest seed yield per plant (799.51kg/ha, 766.75K g/ha and 742.63 respectively). In contrast, the lines TGX-1949-10F and TGX-1485-1D which is the control , flowered at about 43 days after planting, had seed yield per plant of (404.30 and 254.23kg/ha, respectively),these lines had significantly lower yield and susceptible to rust. In the field, four lines had seed weight per plant significantly heavier than TGX-1949-10F and TGX-1485-1D, namely TGX-1835-10E, TGX-1987-10F, TGX-1904-6F and TGX-1945-4E and using a polygon view, the best performing lines were visualized as TGX-1987-10F was best in Environments one and TGX-1835-10E in two.Base on average environment coordination (AEC) procedure, TGX-1945-1F and TGX-1945-4E had yields above the grand means and stable while TGX-1945-4F and TGX-1935-3F were identified with high but unstable yield, the soybean lines with heavier seed weight per plant should potentially serve as genetic material to develop high yielding soybean varieties and resistant to rust disease

Assessment of Drumstick Tree (M. deifera) Accessions for Genetic Diversity in the Southern guinea Region of Nigeria

An experiment was conducted to analyze the genetic diversity among 9 drumstick tree (Moringaoleifera) accessions in the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Makurdi. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. Data were recorded on growth and yield characteristics before and after pruning. The result obtained showed that at 18 weeks after transplanting, accession UAM-NI had the tallest plants (3.63m) while UAM-BE had the shortest mean plant height (2.84m) under no pruning. Other parameters that showed significant differences were number of leaves per tree and stem diameter. Although accession UAM-OY recorded highest fresh (220.22g), dry (113.42g) and leaf powder (82.60g) weights, it was not significantly different from other accessions. However, at 18 weeks after pruning, there was a significant difference among the accessions with regard to leaf length. Although accession UAM-NA recorded highest fresh leaf weight (286.60g), dry leaf weight (90.67g) and leaf powder weight (85.60g), it was not statistically different from other accessions. For the pruned accessions, significant differences were recorded in leaf length, number of flowers/tree, days to podding and fifty percent podding, pod length, pod girth, pod weight, number of seeds/pod, number of seeds/tree and 100seed weight. The result also indicated that the pruned accessions recorded higher leaf yield than the unpruned. The result of the cluster analysis grouped the accessions into two clusters and an outlier both for the pruned and unpruned accessions irrespective of area of collection

Expression of CD3-ζ on T-cells in primary cervical carcinoma and in metastasis-positive and -negative pelvic lymph nodes

Lymphocytic infiltrate is often present in cervical cancer lesions, possibly reflecting an ongoing, but ineffective, immune response to the tumour. Recently, evidence has accumulated for systemically impaired T-cell functions in cancer patients, associated with decreased expression of signal-transducing zeta (ζ) chain dimer molecules on circulating T-cells and NK-cells. Here, we report on the intralesional down-regulation of ζ chain expression on T-cells in cervical carcinoma. Paraffin-embedded or snap-frozen sections from 24 different cervical cancer specimens were studied. Paraffin-embedded tumour-positive (n = 7) and tumour-negative (n = 15) pelvic lymph nodes were also included in the study. Immunostaining was performed on consecutive sections with antibodies specific for CD3-ɛ or the CD3-associated ζ chain dimer. Antigen retrieval by sodium citrate/microwave treatment was essential for ζ staining of paraffin sections. The amount of ζ positive cells was quantitated and related to the number of CD3-ɛ+ cells in corresponding tumour areas. Of the 24 cervical cancer specimens studied, ζ chain dimer expression was reduced in seven cases and strongly reduced in the other 17 samples. In tonsil control sections, CD3-ɛ and CD3-ζ were always co-expressed in almost equal numbers. Also, both tumour-negative and -positive lymph nodes showed ζ chain expression which equalled that of CD3-ɛ expression. These data indicate that a decreased expression of signal-transducing ζ molecules on tumour-infiltrating T-cells is frequent in cervical cancer. The apparently unimpaired ζ chain expression within draining lymph nodes suggests that local tumour-derived factors at the primary site are instrumental in ζ chain down-regulation. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

State of the Art Review: Emerging Therapies: The Use of Insulin Sensitizers in the Treatment of Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS, a heterogeneous disorder characterized by cystic ovarian morphology, androgen excess, and/or irregular periods, emerges during or shortly after puberty. Peri- and post-pubertal obesity, insulin resistance and consequent hyperinsulinemia are highly prevalent co-morbidities of PCOS and promote an ongoing state of excess androgen. Given the relationship of insulin to androgen excess, reduction of insulin secretion and/or improvement of its action at target tissues offer the possibility of improving the physical stigmata of androgen excess by correction of the reproductive dysfunction and preventing metabolic derangements from becoming entrenched. While lifestyle changes that concentrate on behavioral, dietary and exercise regimens should be considered as first line therapy for weight reduction and normalization of insulin levels in adolescents with PCOS, several therapeutic options are available and in wide use, including oral contraceptives, metformin, thiazolidenediones and spironolactone. Overwhelmingly, the data on the safety and efficacy of these medications derive from the adult PCOS literature. Despite the paucity of randomized control trials to adequately evaluate these modalities in adolescents, their use, particularly that of metformin, has gained popularity in the pediatric endocrine community. In this article, we present an overview of the use of insulin sensitizing medications in PCOS and review both the adult and (where available) adolescent literature, focusing specifically on the use of metformin in both mono- and combination therapy

Performance of medium duration lowland rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes and correlation studies evaluated under rainfed conditions in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Genetics Vol. 15 2000: pp. 15-2