Expression of Wild-Type p53 by Curcumin, Alpinetin and Flavokawain B in Colorectal Cancer cells Expressing R273H Mutant p53

A mutation in p53 is frequently reported in nearly 50% of all of human cancers arising from DNA-binding core domain of p53. DNA-contact mutant R273H rendered p53 at dysfunctional state due to the substitution of single residue Arg273 for His273. Here, natural bioactive compounds curcumin, alpinetin and flavokawain B were investigated for possible stabilisation of wild-type p53 expression in vitro using HT-29 cells harbouring R273H rendered p53. Accordingly, all the bioactive compounds were able to induce the expression of wild-type p53 both at the levels of gene and protein expression. A dose-dependent induction of p53 was evident at 12.5, 25 and 50 μM concentration. The present study has shown that the bioactive compounds may have restored the wild-type p53 functional activity in tumour cells expressing R273H mutant p53. Keywords: Curcumin, Alpinetin, Flavokawain B, p53, R273

Effects of Phosphorus Fertilizer Application on Verano Stylo (\u3cem\u3eStylosanthes Hamata\u3c/em\u3e) for Fodder Production in Semi-Arid Nigeria

Profitable ruminant livestock production in Nigeria is often constrained by an inadequate. Although natural grazing lands provide most forage for most animals, these pastures like those throughout most of the tropical world, are grossly deficient in energy, crude protein and minerals, particularly during the dry season, and so cannot meet the requirements for meat and milk production (Akinolai et al. 2010). Sown pastures have proved to a valuable technology to improve livestock nutrition. However, a major limitation to the use of sown tropical species is infertile soil. This is certainly the case in the north western region of Nigeria where soils are very low in the phosphorus (P) content available to plants (Ezekiel and Gabriel 2006). Sakaba (2011) also reported very low available phosphorus content (\u3c 5 ppm) in the soil of the study area in Sokoto. Possible reasons for the low P status include: low pH value, excessive degradation caused by overgrazing and the effects of desertification. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of Verano under different P fertilizer levels in the semi-arid ecosystem of northwestern Nigeria

PREDICTING FINANCIAL DISTRESS OF PUBLIC COMPANIES LISTED IN AMMAN STOCK EXCHANGE

This study investigates the role of a set of financial ratios in predicting financial distress of publicly listed companies in Jordan. Using Logistic Regression and Discriminant Analysis a comparison has been made between the two models to determine which is more appropriate to use as well as which of the financial ratios are statistically significant in predicting the financial distress of Jordanian companies. During the period 2007 to 2011, the results show that both logistic regression and discriminant analysis can predict financial distress, and that Return on Equity (ROE) and Return on Assets (ROA) are the most important two financial ratios, which help in predicting the financial distress of public companies listed in Amman stock Exchange

Haematological and Biochemical Indices of Growing Lambs Fed Fore-Stomach Digesta and Poultry Litter Waste

Haematological values and blood urea nitrogen levels of growing Uda lambs fed forestomach digesta (FSD) and poultry litter waste (PLW) were studied. The experimental animals were randomly allotted (n=4/treatments) to diets A (20% FSD), B (20% PLW), C (10% each of FSD and PLW), D (6.67% FSD and 13.33% PLW) and E (13.33% FSD and 6.67% PLW). The experiment lasted for 84 days. Blood samples were collected prior to and after the feeding trial for haematological and blood urea nitrogen determination. Initial packed cell volume and final red blood cell counts were not significantly different between treatments (P>0.05). Initial haemoglobin concentration (HB) was similar (P>0.05) to those on treatments A, C, D, and E while final HB concentration was similar (P>0.05) for those on treatments B, C, and E. Initial and final values of neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were not significantly different (P>0.05) for all treatments. There were no traces of eosinophils at the end of the feeding trial while monocyte counts were not significantly different (P>0.05) at the beginning and end of the feeding trial. Total protein showed no significant difference in all the treatments at initial and final collections of blood. Similar results were observed for albumin and globulin concentrations. Haematological values and blood urea nitrogen were within normal values; indicating that there was no toxicity associated with the feeding of FSD and PLW alone or in mixtures to growing lambs. It was concluded that the test diets were not toxic to animals based on the haematological indices and blood biochemical parameters which were within recommended values. Key Words: Lambs, Fore-Stomach Digesta, Poultry Litter Wast

Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Uda Lambs Fed Graded Levels of Alkali -Treated Neem Kernel Cake

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding alkali- treated neem kernel cake (ATNKC) on haematological and biochemical parameters of Uda lambs. It was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto with 20 male Uda lambs. The experimental animals were allotted (n=5) to diets A, B, C, D and E with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% levels of inclusion of ATNKC, respectively. The experiment lasted for 84days. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment for analyses of haematological and biochemical parameters. Haematological and biochemical parameters of the experimental animals on control and test diets were normal. The mean values for per cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) in treatments E, D, C and B were not significantly (P>0.05) different from treatment A which served as the control. However, the white blood cell value in treatment A (11.67x109l) was similar to the values in treatments E (9.70 x109l), B (9.67 x109l ) and C(9.53 x109l) but significantly (P<0.05) different that of treatment D(8.90 x109). The values for neutrophil, eosinophil and basophil in the control treatment were not significantly (P>0.05) different from the test treatment except lymphocytes and monocytes. For biochemical parameters, the values to total protein, albumin, globulin, SGPT, total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin in the control and test treatment did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference except in SGOT and unconjugated bilirubin. Urea nitrogen concentration, Creatinine and potassium values did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference between the control and test treatments. It was recommended in the study that alkali treated neem kernel cake can be safely included in feed of sheep up to 20% levels for lambs.Keywords: Uda lambs; Alkali- treated neem kernel cake; haematological and biochemical parametersNigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (2011), 19(2): 277-28

Assessment of Selected Health Determinants among Almajiri Students in Gwadabawa Local Government, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Health determinants are factors that can influence our health either positively or negatively. This paper determined the factors that affect the health of Almajiri in their system of study in Gwadabawa local government of Sokoto state, Nigeria. Interview and visual observation were used to collect data, which was analyzed by thematic networks method. The result of this study was shown. Most (50.0%) of the Almajiri live in buildings own by school,whereas, 33.5% of them in donated buildings .There were three types of houses / classes where Almajiri live.Most (50.0%) were made of cement/modern style ,then (33.3%) the mud houses / classes, and (16.7%) were the ones from zinc .There were toilets for urination only ,no one was slated for defecation . In 75% of the schools there was no water, whereas 33.3% have water source from unprotected wells. In 33.3 % of the schools there was refuse dumps .In 33.3% there were no any source of risk. Whereas, in 16.7% there were gutters, and in 16.7% there were roads nearby. Personal hygiene was observed. 75.0% of Almajiri wore dirty garments.25.0% wore cleaned garments, 12.5% wore torn garments, and 87.5% wore untorn garments. 62.5% wore shoes and 37.5% have no shoes. 62.5% take bath weekly, 37.7% take bath daily. Interms of livelihood, most of them relied on begging for food; 25.0% do domestic work to get food and other needs. 70.0% of them eat twice in a day, 25.0% thrice, whereas, 5.0% once; in most cases. The result revealed many health determinants which can negatively affect the health of Almajiri.Keywords: health determinants, open defecation, overcrowding, begging, child labou

Effect of Weeding Regimes on Chemical Composition of Lablab Purpureus in Semi-Arid Sokoto, Nigeria

A Field experiment was conducted in 2010 and repeated in 2011 cropping seasons to determine effects of weeding regime on chemical composition of Lablab purpureus. It was planted and weeded at four weeding regimes (weedy check, weeding once, weeding twice and weed free) laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated thrice. Results revealed that weed free regime produced the highest crude protein (24.8%) while weedy check produced the highest carbohydrate content of 55.9% and the highest lipid content of 24.8%. For 2010 and 2011 seasons and the combined analysis, weeding regime did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05) in all parameters except in crude fibre and weed dry weight. Keywords: Weeding, Chemical Composition, Labla

Influence of Intra row spacing on growth and fodder yield of Lablab (Lablab purpureus [L]) in Semi – Arid Sokoto Nigeria

A Field experiment was conducted in 2010 and repeated in 2011 cropping seasons at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Farm, Dabagi to determine the effect of intra row spacing on growth and yield of Lablab purpureus. Treatments consisted three intra row spacings (20, 30 and 40cm) laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. The results of the trial showed that intra row spacing significantly (P < 0.05) affected stand establishment count with 20cm producing the highest (43.3)number of stands and plant height at week 3 after sowing in 2011 cropping season. Tallest plants (42.2 cm) were produced by 20cm intra row spacing. Leaf number was significant (P< 0.05) at 9 weeks after sowing in 2010 cropping season. Thirty (30) cm intra row spacing produced the highest no. of leaves (25). Leaf length was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by intra row spacing. The longest leaf (9.9 cm) was produced by 30 cm intra row spacing. Leaf width was also not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by intra row spacing with 30 cm intra row spacing producing the widest leaf (8.9 cm). Dry matter yield was not affected (P > 0.05) by intra row spacing however, 30 cm intra row spacing produced the highest dry matter yield of 1707.7 kg/ha. It was concluded from this research that 30 cm intra row spacing produced the highest dry matter yield of Lablab purpureus (L) and is recommended for semi arid Sokoto environment.Keywords: Row spacing, Fodder yield, Lablab purpureu

Natural Products Modulating Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) as Potential COVID-19 Therapies

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a potentially fatal multisystemic infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Currently, viable therapeutic options that are cost effective, safe and readily available are desired, but lacking. Nevertheless, the pandemic is noticeably of lesser burden in African and Asian regions, where the use of traditional herbs predominates, with such relationship warranting a closer look at ethnomedicine. From a molecular viewpoint, the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the crucial first phase of COVID-19 pathogenesis. Here, we review plants with medicinal properties which may be implicated in mitigation of viral invasion either via direct or indirect modulation of ACE2 activity to ameliorate COVID-19. Selected ethnomedicinal plants containing bioactive compounds which may prevent and mitigate the fusion and entry of the SARS-CoV-2 by modulating ACE2-associated up and downstream events are highlighted. Through further experimentation, these plants could be supported for ethnobotanical use and the phytomedicinal ligands could be potentially developed into single or combined preventive therapeutics for COVID-19. This will benefit researchers actively looking for solutions from plant bioresources and help lessen the burden of COVID-19 across the globe.We appreciate the support and resource provided by staff and postgraduate members of the Center for Advanced Medical Research and Training (CAMRET), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. DU acknowledges the postgraduate scholarship awarded to him (CAMRET/ 2019/MSc/SCH003) by CAMRET. NC-M. acknowledges the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the Horizon 2020 Program (PTDC/PSI-GER/ 28076/2017). The work was also supported by Taif University Researchers Supporting Program (Project number: TURSP-2020/93), Taif University, Saudi Arabia