Seasonality of the mycoflora of the crown disease complex of the vegetative organs of the grapevine Vitis vinifera cvar Anap-e-Shahe

The mycoflora associated with lesions on the vegetative organs of Anap-e-Shahe cultivar of grapevine in Zaria were monitored for 3 years. The symptoms varied with the seasons but were the same over theyears studied. The mycoflora detected on the lesions were consistent with the symptoms. Except for pruning interruptions, Epicoccum sp., Penicillum sp., Aspergillus sp. and Curvularia sp. was regularlydetected on lesions of all growth seasons. Alternaria sp., Drechslera sp. and Pestalotiopsis aff. uvicola occurred only on lesions of the rainy season growths. Phoma aff. multirostrata, Colletotrichumgloeosporioides, Phomopsis sp. and Phoma sp. were the dominant group on lesions of rainy season growth and were detected from the beginning of the rains in May until the close of the rains in October,which corresponded with the prevailing period of anthracnose, tip die back, commencement of canker development and blight. The occurrence of Plasmopara viticola commenced during the downy mildewepiphytotic late in July or early August, a time which corresponded with high relative humidity and a drop in maximum temperature at the peak of the rains. P. viticola and Curvularia sp. with other regularlyoccurring fungi detected from the late rainy season persisted into the dry season. The seasonal variability in the mycoflora of the crown disease complex of grapevine provided information whichcould be exploited in disease diagnosis and management

X-Ray Barrier Estimation - A Case Study of the General Radiography Room of a Major Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: The observation that the designing rules and calculations on shielding barrier thickness estimation for most general radiographic rooms are not being practised made the evaluation of the already existing shielding barrier of the general Radiography Room of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika - Zaria to ascertain its shielding adequacy very necessary.Materials and Methods: The General Radiography Room with an area of 6.36m x 5m houses a Silhouette General X-ray machine; model MS-185N with serial number 0877 manufactured by General Electric (GE) Medical Systems in September, 2004. The evaluation was based on the method by NCRP Report No. 147, and used the number of patients examined in this room per week for shielding calculations.Results: The results showed that the barrier thickness required varied from 0.10 to 0.46mm of lead for the secondary barriers and 1.36mm of lead for the primary barrier. The ratio of the calculated to the current (already contructed) barrier thickness ranged from 0.09 to 0.23 for the secondary barriers and 0.68for the primary barrier .Conclusion: Based on the results from this study, the shielding barrier already provided in the General Radiography Room of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika - Zaria is adequate and in the event of public access to the surrounding area, the dose rates are at acceptable limits

Evaluation agronomique de variétés de canne à sucre en début de campagne de récolte à Ferké au Nord de la Côte d’Ivoire : vers un allègement du schéma de sélection

Dans le but de contribuer à l’allègement du schéma de sélection de la canne à sucre, 16 variétés ont été évaluées, sur la base du rendement en sucre extractible, de la tolérance au charbon (U. scitaminea), à l’échaudure des feuilles (maladies endémiques) et au foreur de tiges (E. saccharina), dans 4 essais, conduits sur 5 ans, en début de saison de récolte à Sucaf-Ferké 2 (nord de la Côte d’Ivoire). Les variétés commerciales SP701143, SP711406, MEX73523, N19, R575, SP75184 et SP791230 ont présenté, respectivement, des TSE/ha de 12,2 ; 15,3 ; 11,6 ; 11,7 ; 10,6 ; 11,5 et 12,1 significativement supérieures à celles de NCo376 (variété la plus cultivée jusqu’en 2008). Par ailleurs, celles-ci ont été moins sensibles au charbon et au foreur de tiges que NCo376 (taux de charbon < 5000 fouets/ha et ENA % < 3 %). Les variétés commerciales se sont avérées plus adaptées aux conditions de culture du site que les présélectionnées, avec des taux d’adaptation de 33 %, 100 %, 67 % et 75 %. L’étude suggère en outre, la possibilité de réduire la 2e étape de sélection de 2 ans et de conduire le criblage en une seule étape de 3 ans. Ce qui ramènerait la durée du cycle de sélection à 6 ans, contre 11, voire 15 ans auparavant.Mots clés : Variétés de canne à sucre, adaptation, charbon, foreur, Côte d’Ivoir

The prevalence of gastrointestinal stromal tumour as seen in the Jos University Teaching Hospital (Juth), Jos, North Central Nigeria

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) represent 1% of all malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). However, it is the most common Mesenchymal tumour of the GIT with majority (40 to 60%) arising from the stomach.Objective: To determine the prevalence of GISTamong patients in Jos University Teaching Hospital between 2005 and 2012.Methodology: Five (5) antibodies were used on the Mesenchymal tumours (CD117, CD34, Desmin, SMA and S100). Diagnosis of specific Mesenchymal tumours was based on histological patterns of the tumours on H and E stained slides and immunostaining&nbsp; characteristics of the tumours.Results: Seven Mesenchymal tumours seen within the study period. This comprises of 6 GIST and 1 Leiomyosarcoma.Conclusions: This study shows that even though GISTis a rare tumour, it is the commonest Mesenchymal tumour of the stomach. It also shows that they are commonly positive for both CD117 and Cd34. Keywords: GIST, Mesenchymal Tumour, Gastrointestinal Tract, Stomac

Estimation of Diagnostic Reference Level for Lumbar Spine X- Ray Procedures in Some Radiological Facilities in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria

The worldwide increase in the use of radiation in diagnostic radiology practice has increased the need for organizations that deal with radiation protection to focus on improving patient protection. The essential aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic reference level for lumbar spine anterior posterior in some radiological facilities in Abuja metropolis, Nigeria. This study was performed to assess the values of entrance surface air kerma via indirect method for 87 adult patients whom their ages ranged between 19 to 75 years that underwent lumbar spine X-ray examination in six diagnostic radiology centres. The age of patients ranged from 20 to 60yrs; their weight ranged from 46 to 90 Kg, while the height of patients ranged from 1.4 to 1.8 m. The mean entrance surface air kerma for centres A, B, C, E and F were 2.41mGy, 2.39mGy, 2.75mGy, 2.91mGy and 2.67mGy respectively while the determined diagnostic reference level was 2.83mGy. This indicates improvement in optimization of patients’ doses when compared to established international reference levels. Keywords: Entrance surface air kerma, diagnostic reference level, lumbar spine X- ray examination and radiological facilities DOI: 10.7176/APTA/86-04 Publication date:October 31st 202

Flexible work design and employee commitment : when socio-demographic characteristics are introduced?

Purpose: In this study, we contribute to the existing literature by examining the relationship between military spending changes and economic growth in China over the period 1995 to 2018 using Granger causality test. We would also explore short and long run relationship between GDP growth and military expenditure of China. Approach/Methodology/Design: Data used in this study are yearly data covering the period of 1995 to 2018 and the variables are Gross Domestic product (GDP) and Military Expenditure (ME). Data were collected from World Bank. GDP is at 2010 constant US prices and ME is expressed as a percentage of economic growth. All variables are transformed into the natural logarithmics to obtain growth effects. Findings: Using causality test, the causal relationship between the variables revealed that the alternative hypothesis should be accepted which is lagged GDP variable (proxy of economic growth) does not cause ME in our first VAR Granger causslity Wald test model. However, we discover and verified that there is one-way causality from economic growth to military spending, but no causality from military spending to economic growth is observed in this study. China’s positive economic growth can finance its military expenditure. Practical Implications: The study will contribute positively to the understanding of influence of GDP on military expenditure for emerging and developed ecconomies. Originality/value: This study innovates by using Cointegration, E-granger and Granger causality test to find out economic growth causing military expenditure in developing economies like China.peer-reviewe

Comparative Physiognomies of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products from Kwale in Delta State, Nembe, and Kula in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

This paper investigated selected physiognomies of crude oil and petroleum products collected from Kali in Delta State, Kula in Rivers State, and Nembe in Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria using the standard procedure of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The result shows that the crude oils were different in terms of API gravity and specific gravity. API gravity of 52.17, 46.31, and 45.38 for Kwale, Kula, and Nembe respectively. This shows that they are not heavy crude oil. The low water content and low viscosity of the crude oils lower the risk of pipe and container corrosion and flow difficulty. The result of density, specific gravity, viscosity, and kinematic viscosity shows the value of those parameters increase from light fraction to heavy fraction. The pour point and flash point recorded for light fractions were lowered than that of heavy fractions, for the three samples of crude oil. The flash point is 61.30 C, -340 C, and -310 C while the pour point is 9 0 C, 20 C, and 6 0 C respectively for Kwale, Kula, and Nembe. The level of heavy metal analyzed was generally low but metals such as nickel and vanadium and other elements such as Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Sulphur were in abundance in the samples of the crude oil. The results are discussed in terms of importance and implication

Gender-Related Differences in the Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and their Correlates in Urban Tanzania.

\ud Urban areas in Africa suffer a serious problem with dual burden of infectious diseases and emerging chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes which pose a serious threat to population health and health care resources. However in East Africa, there is limited literature in this research area. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors and their correlates among adults in Temeke, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Results of this study will help inform future research and potential preventive and therapeutic interventions against such chronic diseases. The study design was a cross sectional epidemiological study. A total of 209 participants aged between 44 and 66 years were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics. Blood samples were collected and analyzed to measure lipid profile and fasting glucose levels. Cardiovascular risk factors were defined using World Health Organization criteria. The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 30) was 13% and 35%, among men and women (p = 0.0003), respectively. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 11% and 58% (p < 0.0001), and high WHR (men: >0.9, women: >0.85) was 51% and 73% (p = 0.002) for men and women respectively. Women had 4.3 times greater odds of obesity (95% CI: 1.9-10.1), 14.2-fold increased odds for abdominal adiposity (95% CI: 5.8-34.6), and 2.8 times greater odds of high waist-hip-ratio (95% CI: 1.4-5.7), compared to men. Women had more than three-fold greater odds of having metabolic syndrome (p = 0.001) compared to male counterparts, including abdominal obesity, low HDL-cholesterol, and high fasting blood glucose components. In contrast, female participants had 50% lower odds of having hypertension, compared to men (95%CI: 0.3-1.0). Among men, BMI and waist circumference were significantly correlated with blood pressure, triglycerides, total, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol (BMI only), and fasting glucose; in contrast, only blood pressure was positively associated with BMI and waist circumference in women. The prevalence of CVD risk factors was high in this population, particularly among women. Health promotion, primary prevention, and health screening strategies are needed to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Tanzania.\u

Acquired resistance to DZNep-mediated apoptosis is associated with copy number gains of AHCY in a B-cell lymphoma model

BackgroundEnhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is considered an important driver of tumor development and progression by its histone modifying capabilities. Inhibition of EZH2 activity is thought to be a potent treatment option for eligible cancer patients with an aberrant EZH2 expression profile, thus the indirect EZH2 inhibitor 3-Deazaneplanocin A (DZNep) is currently under evaluation for its clinical utility. Although DZNep blocks proliferation and induces apoptosis in different tumor types including lymphomas, acquired resistance to DZNep may limit its clinical application.MethodsTo investigate possible mechanisms of acquired DZNep resistance in B-cell lymphomas, we generated a DZNep-resistant clone from a previously DZNep-sensitive B-cell lymphoma cell line by long-term treatment with increasing concentrations of DZNep (ranging from 200 to 2000nM) and compared the molecular profiles of resistant and wild-type clones. This comparison was done using molecular techniques such as flow cytometry, copy number variation assay (OncoScan and TaqMan assays), fluorescence in situ hybridization, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and metabolomics analysis.ResultsWhole exome sequencing did not indicate the acquisition of biologically meaningful single nucleotide variants. Analysis of copy number alterations, however, demonstrated among other acquired imbalances an amplification (about 30 times) of the S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (AHCY) gene in the resistant clone. AHCY is a direct target of DZNep and is critically involved in the biological methylation process, where it catalyzes the reversible hydrolysis of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine to L-homocysteine and adenosine. The amplification of the AHCY gene is paralleled by strong overexpression of AHCY at both the transcriptional and protein level, and persists upon culturing the resistant clone in a DZNep-free medium.ConclusionsThis study reveals one possible molecular mechanism how B-cell lymphomas can acquire resistance to DZNep, and proposes AHCY as a potential biomarker for investigation during the administration of EZH2-targeted therapy with DZNep

Effect of fungi associated with foliar diseases of Ficus capensis on the proximate, anti-nutrient and mineral composition of leaves

&nbsp;The Ficus capensis Thunb leaves are affected by some foliar diseases, which could reduce the nutrient benefits from these leaves. This study aimed at isolation and characterization of fungal pathogens associated with the plant's foliar diseases, analysis of the proximate and phytochemical composition of healthy and diseased fruits and leaves. The effect of isolated fungal species on these proximate and phytochemical contents of leaves was also investigated. Hendersonula sp., Didymeria conferta, Rhizopus stolonifer and Fusarium oxysporium were isolated and characterized as fungi associated with the leaves. Proximate analysis revealed the presence of protein, carbohydrate, lipid, ash, fiber, and moisture. Mineral nutrient analysis revealed the presence of copper, zinc, lead, manganese, magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, while that of anti-nutrients revealed saponin, alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin and cyanogenic glycoside, both in the diseased and the healthy leaves and fruits of the plant. The values of the food nutrients and minerals in healthy leaves were significantly different from those of the infected fruits and leaves, with the value of non-nutrients in infected leaves were higher than those in health ones. The non-nutrients in the infected leaves were higher than those in the healthy leaves and fruits of the plants, while the proximate and mineral composition of the supposedly healthy leaves was greater than those of diseased leaves. &nbsp;&nbsp