Growth components and Yield of \u3cem\u3eBrachiaria ruziziensis\u3c/em\u3e (Congo grass) and \u3cem\u3eCentrosema pascuorum\u3c/em\u3e (Centro) Mixtures as Influenced by Mixture Ratios, Phosphorus Levels and Stage of Harvest

This study was conducted during the 2017 and 2018 rainy season at the Crop Production Research farm, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi to determine the effects of plant mixture ratios in Brachiaria ruziziensis and Centrosema pascuorum (100% Sole B. ruziziensis, 75% B.R: 25% C.P, 50% B.R: 50% C.P, 25% B.R: 75% C.P and 100% Sole C. pascuorum) and phosphorus fertilizer (SSP) levels (0, 100 and 150kg/ha). The experiment was in a split-plot design with 5x3 factorial arrangement in which the mixture ratios constituted the main plots while phosphorus (SSP) levels constituted the sub treatments. Number of plants per stand ranged from 6.11 in 25% B.R: 75% C.P to 9.56 in 100% B. ruziziensis and 2.89 in 75% B.R: 25% C.P to 11.11 in 50% B.R: 50% C.P. The highest plant height for B. ruziziensis was obtained in 25% B.R: 75% C.P (38.0). Similarly, 25% B.R: 75% C.P mixture had highest plant height for C. pascuorum (45.11). However, tiller per branch per m2 ranged from 57.60 in 25% B.R: 75% C.P to 190.9 in 100 B. ruziziensis and 32.9 in 75% B.R: 25% C.P to 257.90 in 100 C. pascuorum. The mean values indicated that mixture ratios and phosphorus (SSP) levels significantly (P \u3c 0.05) increased plant height and tiller numbers in B. ruziziensis and C. pascuorum mixtures and 75% B.R: 25% C.P mixture, 150kg/ha Single Super Phosphate fertilization and sampling period at week 8 had the best plant height and tiller per branch

The Impact of Non-Residential Tertiary Institutions on Housing in Lagos: A Case Study of Lagos State University

Tertiary institutions generally are to provide quality education to students on a full time basis and this requires domiciling the students in an area accessible to the school. This study examines the impact of the absence of students’ hostel accommodation at the Lagos State University (LASU), due to the policy of the school as non-residential one. It examines the impact of the students accommodation on housing dynamics. The researchers carried out a 15% sampling size in which 173 questionnaires were administered. For the purpose of this research, the systematic random sampling was used so as to minimise bias and enhance the probability of selecting a representative sample.The primary data included direct personal observations, oral interviews and use of questionnaire.The secondary data sets were sourced from Institutions and Government Organizations relevant to the study.The results show that there is high demand for housing units within the area because of nearness to the University campus. There is high occupancy ratio of 6-7 people per room, high rise building is commonest and accommodate up to 140 people. It is concluded that the off campus accommodation by the students in the study area led to high demand for housing units with increament in rent, development of shanty, and illegal expansion of existing building

The effect of heat stress on the oxidative status of red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) infected with Streptococcus Agalactiae

A commercial red hybrid tilapia was experimented with S. agalactiae infection under influences of heat stress which indicated by plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) as biomarkers of stress. To achieve these objectives, 110 red hybrid tilapia in good health were divided into five groups of 22 fish each. Group A was challenged with 2.3 109 CFU of S. agalactiae and exposed to heat stress at 33 ± 0.5C on day 1. Group B was challenged on day 1 as in Group A but heat stress was introduced on day 7 post challenge (pc). Group C was exposed to heat stress on day 1 and challenged on day 7 pc while groups D and E served as a positive and negative controls respectively. Blood samples were collected at days 0, 3, 7, 10 and 14 for MDA and SOD analysis. Groups A and B recorded high mortality following exposure to heat stress and bacteria inoculation, with group A reaching 100% mortality at day 7 post inoculation. Overall, Groups A, B, C and Group D showed pattern of increase in MDA level as early as day 3 and decrease pattern for SOD activity. Group E did not show any significant difference in MDA level throughout the study period. Clinical signs such as erratic swimming, exopthalmia, skin haemorrhage and cloudy eye were predominantly observed in group A 24 h post inoculation. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that heat stress plays crucial role in the pathogenesis of S. agalactiae, via alteration of the oxidant defence system

Links between cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: serum lipids or atherosclerosis per se?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Epidemiological observations suggest links between osteoporosis and risk of acute cardiovascular events and vice versa. Whether the two clinical conditions are linked by common pathogenic factors or atherosclerosis per se remains incompletely understood. We investigated whether serum lipids and polymorphism in the ApoE gene modifying serum lipids could be a biological linkage. METHODS: This was an observational study including 1176 elderly women 60–85 years old. Women were genotyped for epsilon (ɛ) allelic variants of the ApoE gene, and data concerning serum lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, apoA1, ApoB, Lp(a)), hip and spine BMD, aorta calcification (AC), radiographic vertebral fracture and self-reported wrist and hip fractures, cardiovascular events together with a wide array of demographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected. RESULTS: Presence of the ApoE ɛ4 allele had a significant impact on serum lipid profile, yet no association with spine/hip BMD or AC could be established. In multiple regression models, apoA1 was a significant independent contributor to the variation in AC. However, none of the lipid components were independent contributors to the variation in spine or hip BMD. When comparing the women with or without vertebral fractures, serum triglycerides showed significant differences. This finding was however not applicable to hip or wrist fractures. After adjustment for age, severe AC score (≥6) and/or manifest cardiovascular disease increased the risk of hip but not vertebral or wrist fractures. CONCLUSION: The contribution of serum lipids to the modulators of BMD does not seem to be direct but rather indirect via promotion of atherosclerosis, which in turn can affect bone metabolism locally, especially when skeletal sites supplied by end-arteries are concerned. Further studies are needed to explore the genetic or environmental risk factors underlying the association of low triglyceride levels to vertebral fractures

Overturning established chemoselectivities : selective reduction of arenes over malonates and cyanoacetates by photoactivated organic electron donors

The prevalence of metal-based reducing reagents, including metals, metal complexes, and metal salts, has produced an empirical order of reactivity that governs our approach to chemical synthesis. However, this reactivity may be influenced by stabilization of transition states, intermediates, and products through substrate-metal bonding. This article reports that in the absence of such stabilizing interactions, established chemoselectivities can be overthrown. Thus, photoactivation of the recently developed neutral organic superelectron donor 5 selectively reduces alkyl-substituted benzene rings in the presence of activated esters and nitriles, in direct contrast to metal-based reductions, opening a new perspective on reactivity. The altered outcomes arising from the organic electron donors are attributed to selective interactions between the neutral organic donors and the arene rings of the substrates

Anti-trypanosomal Activity of Bufonidae (Toad) Venom Crude Extract on Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Swiss Mice

Trypanosomiasis afflicts about 6 ~ 7 million people globally and to a large extent impedes livestock production in Africa. Naturally, trypanosomal parasites undergo genetic mutation and have developed resistance over a wide range of therapies. The utilization of animals and plants products has presented therapeutic potential for identifying novel anti-trypanosomal drugs. This study evaluated toad venom for anti-trypanosomal potency invivo in Swiss mice. Toads were collected from July to August 2019. The acute oral toxicity and biochemical characterization of the toad venom were determined. The experimental mice were administered various doses (130 mg/kg, 173 mg/kg and 217 mg/kg) of the toad venom crude extract and 0.75 mg/mL of Diamizan Plus standard drug for the treatment of trypanosomiasis, once daily for 3 days. The in-vivo anti-trypanosomal activity was evaluated by a curative test, after infecting the mice with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The pre-patent period was 72 hours before treatment commenced. The overall results showed that trypanosomal load was highest in the control group while the group treated with Diamizan drug had the least trypanosomal load. As such, the mean trypanosomal load in relation to treatments showed a very high significant difference (P0.05) across treatment groups. The over 50% reduction in the trypanosomal load in the 130 mg/kg group in comparison with the control group brings to bare the anti-trypanosomal potency of the toad venom. The anti-trypanosomal activity demonstrated by the toad venom has provided basis for development of new therapeutic agents from different toad species. The study recommends further studies (both in-vivo and invitro) followed by the characterization of the active compounds present in the toad venom responsible for the anti-tyrpanosomal activity observed alongside the management and conservation of these species

Human macrophage foam cells degrade atherosclerotic plaques through cathepsin K mediated processes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Proteolytic degradation of Type I Collagen by proteases may play an important role in remodeling of atherosclerotic plaques, contributing to increased risk of plaque rupture.</p> <p>The aim of the current study was to investigate whether human macrophage foam cells degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) of atherosclerotic plaques by cathepsin K mediated processes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We 1) cultured human macrophages on ECM and measured cathepsin K generated fragments of type I collagen (C-terminal fragments of Type I collagen (CTX-I) 2) investigated the presence of CTX-I in human coronary arteries and 3) finally investigated the clinical potential by measuring circulating CTX-I in women with and without radiographic evidence of aortic calcified atherosclerosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Immune-histochemistry of early and advanced lesions of coronary arteries demonstrated co-localization of Cathepsin-K and CTX-I in areas of intimal hyperplasia and in shoulder regions of advanced plaques. Treatment of human monocytes with M-CSF or M-CSF+LDL generated macrophages and foam cells producing CTX-I when cultured on type I collagen enriched matrix. Circulating levels of CTX-I were not significantly different in women with aortic calcifications compared to those without.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Human macrophage foam cells degrade the atherosclerotic plaques though cathepsin K mediated processes, resulting in increase in levels of CTX-I. Serum CTX-I was not elevated in women with aortic calcification, likely due to the contribution of CTX-I from osteoclastic bone resorption which involves Cathepsin-K. The human macrophage model system may be used to identify important pathway leading to excessive proteolytic plaque remodeling and plaque rupture.</p

Integral development of jumping and of shot accuracy of young basketball players 12-13 years

Integral development of jumping and of shot accuracy of young basketball players 12-13 years / Mirosława Cieślicka, Zhanneta Kozina, Radosław Muszkieta, Vitalii Korobeinik, Danil Safronov, Nataliya Bugayets, Tatiana Shepelenko, Andrii Tanko // Journal of Physical Education and Sport – 2019. – № 19. – at. № 143. – Р. 992-1002. – DOI: https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2019.s3143Подано принципи комплексного розвитку швидкісно-силових якостей та стрибучості юних баскетболістів. Показано, що використання комплексної методики підготовки баскетболістів сприяло підвищенню рівня спеціальної фізичної підготовленості та ефективності кидка у стрибку. Розроблена методика позитивно впливає на взаємозв'язок показників стрибучості та точності кидків у баскетболі. Розроблена методика адекватна вирішенню завдань тренувального процесу баскетболістів і може бути рекомендована у широку практику підготовки дитячих баскетбольних команд.The principles of the integrated development of speed-power qualities and jumping ability of young basketball players are presented. It is shown that the use of an integrated methodology for preparing basketball players has contributed to an increase in the level of special physical fitness and effectiveness of a jump shot. The developed technique has a positive effect on the relationship between the indicators of jumping ability and shots accuracy in basketball. The developed technique is adequate for solving the tasks of the training process for basketball players and can be recommended to the wide practice of preparing children's basketball teamsПредставлены принципы комплексного развития скоростно-силовых качеств и прыгучести юных баскетболистов. Показано, что использование комплексной методики подготовки баскетболистов способствовало повышению уровня специальной физической подготовленности и эффективности броска в прыжке. Разработанная методика положительно влияет на взаимосвязь показателей прыгучести и точности бросков в баскетболе. Разработанная методика адекватна решению задач тренировочного процесса баскетболистов и может быть рекомендована в широкую практику подготовки детских баскетбольных коман

Dynamics of psychophysiological functions and indicators of physical and technical readiness in young football players aged 12-13 and 15-16 years during a 3-month training process

Dynamics of psychophysiological functions and indicators of physical and technical readiness in young football players aged 12-13 and 15-16 years during a 3-month training process / Zhanneta Kozina, Marian Cretu, Danil Safronov, Ivan Gryn, Yurii Shkrebtii, Nataliya Bugayets, Tatiana Shepelenko, Andrii Tanko // Physiotherapy Quarterly. – 2019. – № 27 (3). – Р. 20-27. – DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/pq.2019.86464Метою дослідження було дати порівняльну характеристику динаміки психофізіологічних функцій та показників фізичної та технічної підготовленості юних футболістів 12–13 та 15–16 років за період 3 місяців тренувань.The purpose of the research was to provide a comparative characteristic of the dynamics of psychophysiological functions and indicators of physical and technical readiness of young footballers aged 12–13 and 15–16 years during 3 months of training.Цель исследования – дать сравнительную характеристику динамики психофизиологических функций и показателей физической и технической подготовленности юных футболистов 12–13 и 15–16 лет за 3 месяца тренировок