Growth of seashore paspalum, (Paspalum vaginatum L) in soil contaminated with crude petroleum oil

The effect of crude oil contaminated soil on the growth of seashore Paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum .) seedlings was investigated. Plants were grown in soil containing different concentrations: 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3% (w/w) of Abura crude petroleum oil. Growth parameter such as shoot number, shoot length, leaf area and biomass accumulation were evaluated. The results showed that crude oil imposed physiological stress in the seedlings. There was a dose response decline in all the growth attributes examined. There was also a significant difference in plant growth with respect to time of crude oil application. At the highest applied concentration(3 % [w/w]), plants grown in soil previously contaminated with petroleum oil showed about 50 % reduction in biomass accumulation when compared with the uncontaminated control whereas established plants post -treated with crude petroleum oil showed a 30% reduction. There was no mortality at any of the crude oil concentrations to which to plant was exposed. The experiment demonstrated the potential of using Paspalum vaginatum for phytoremediatio

Growth of seashore paspalum, ( Paspalum vaginatum L) in soil contaminated with crude petroleum oil

The effect of crude oil contaminated soil on the growth of seashore Paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum ) seedlings was investigated. Plants were grown in soil containing different concentrations: 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3% (w/w) of Abura crude petroleum oil. Growth parameter such as shoot number, shoot length, leaf area and biomass accumulation were evaluated. The results showed that crude oil imposed physiological stress in the seedlings. There was a dose response decline in all the growth attributes examined. There was also a significant difference in plant growth with respect to time of crude oil application. At the highest applied concentration(3 % [w/w]), plants grown in soil previously contaminated with petroleum oil showed about 50 % reduction in biomass accumulation when compared with the uncontaminated control whereas established plants post -treated with crude petroleum oil showed a 30% reduction. There was no mortality at any of the crude oil concentrations to which to plant was exposed. The experiment demonstrated the potential of using Paspalum vaginatum for phytoremediation

Effect of Combined Leaf Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf) and Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) on the Pancreatic beta-Cells of Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rats

The study evaluated the effect of combined extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Gongronema latifolium (GL) on the pancreas of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic Wistar rats. Thirty-two (32) albino rats were divided equally into 4 groups. Groups A and B which served as normal (NC) and diabetic (DC) controls respectively, received placebo treatment. The diabetic test groups C and D were respectively treated with combined extracts of VA and GL (200mg/kg b. w., p. o.) and insulin, (humulin 5 IU/kg, s.c.) for 28 days. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and blood and pancreas were collected for serum glucose and histological evaluation, respectively. Changes in animal weight were also measured within the period. From the results it was revealed that both the combined extracts and humulin significantly increased the animals’ body weight (p<0.05) from -10.5% reduction in the DC, to 7.6% and 8.9% respectively. In the same order, serum glucose significantly decreased (p<0.05) by 12.49% and 14.96% after the 28-day treatment compared to DC. The extent of reversal of hyperglycemia in the extract treated animals compared well with the insulin treated group. The biochemical results were corroborated with results of histological evaluations: The pancreatic β-cells of DC animals which were distorted and degenerated with shrunken cell mass as against prominent islet cells with normal exocrine pancreas of NC animals became rapidly proliferated upon intervention with the combined extracts, suggesting a possible regeneration of the islet cells. On the otherhand, intervention with humulin did not produce observable differences in the cyto-architecture of the pancreatic islets compared to the diabetic control, confirming an extra-pancreatic mechanism of insulin

Profitability of broiler production in Cross River State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to determine profitability of broiler production in Cross River State, Nigeria. A three stage multi sampling technique was adopted in the selection of 180 respondents. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, ranking and percentages, as well as budgeting techniques tools such as net farm income (NFI), return to naira invested (RNI), gross and operating ratios (GR and OR) respectively. Result of analysis showed that socio-economic attributes of broiler farmers - age, sex, marital status, education, experience, business size and training studied influenced on broiler production in the area. Furthermore, the study revealed that broiler production is a profitable venture in the area. This is arising from the difference between a total revenue of N704, 000 and total cost of N419, 153 respectively, representing a net profit of N284, 646.6 or 67.90% of the total amount of money invested, within a production season of eight weeks. The return per naira invested ratio was 1.64, this meant that for every naira invested, N1.64 profit was made by the broiler farmer, this further indicated that the business is profitable. The gross ratio, which measured the overall financial success of the business recorded 0.61. However, cost of feeds, lack of extension services, financial constraints, cost of day old chick’s medication among others are the constraints affecting effective broiler production in the area. Based on the findings of this study, the following are recommended: regular extension training on broiler production should be carried out by the relevant government agencies, feeds should be subsidized and made easily available by government, production of day old chicks should be subsidized by government to cushion the effect of their high cost and livestock farmers should be encouraged to invest on the poultry subsector for it profitability

Combined Methanolic Leaf Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Gongronema latifolium Improves Sperm Parameter Impairment and Testicular Damage in STZ Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

The effects of  methanolic leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Gongronema latifolium (GL) on the histology and DNA of the testes, and the sperm parameters of streptozocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were investigated in this study. 18 male albino rats which were divided into three groups of six rats each were used for this work: A (Normal control) and B (Diabetic control) received tap water, C received combined extract of VA and GL, (400mg/kg twice daily, 200mg/kg each extract). Groups B &amp;C animals were induced for diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of 45mg/kg of Streptozocin, reconstituted in 0.1M sodium citrate buffer. Following sacrifice, the testes and semen were collected for histopathological studies and semen analysis respectively. The results revealed normal testes with prominent seminiferous tubules, containing germ cells at various stages of development and spermatozoa in group A. In group B, there were signs of degeneration in the seminiferous tubules (STs), destruction of germ cells, spermatozoa and Leydig cells. In group C, the testes showed normal STs with Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, germ cells and spermatozoa, suggestive of a possible regeneration. Feulgen’s reaction showed damage to the DNA of the testes in group B which was almost completely reversed in group C. Semen analysis revealed reduced sperm count, high percentage of abnormal forms and high percentage of spermatozoa with retarded motility in group B compared to group A. In group C, there was marked improvement in all the parameters. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, sperm parameters, testicular damage, Vernonia amygdalina, Gongronema latifoliu

Empirical Analysis of Egg Production Functions: A Case Study of Ikot Ekpene and Uyo Metropolis of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study carried out an empirical analysis of egg production functions, a case Study of Ikot Ekpene and Uyo Metropolis of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Specifically, this study was carried out to estimate the egg production functions in the study area, determine the resource use efficiency of egg producers in the study area and to make recommendations based on the findings. Data for this study were obtained from primary source collected from thirty – seven (37) purposively selected poultry farmers using personal observations and interview method while the secondary data were obtained from farm records kept by the farmers. Regression analysis was carried out to show the relationship between egg lay and several input explanatory variables namely; feed intake, mortality rate, culling rate, labour and floor space. Resource use efficiency analysis was used to determine the rationality of the firms in their use of resources. The result showed that the effect of feed intake and labour on egg lay was significant at 0.01% level, Floor space was also significant at 0.01. Further analysis showed that sum of elasticities for feed, labour and floor (EP) is1.59 indicating an increasing return to scale scenario, implying that a 1% increase in the variables; feed, labour, and floor space will lead to a 1.59% increase in egg lay. Of all the four egg production function estimated in this study, it became clear that the exponential function was found to be the lead equation since four out of the five variables employed in this study were significant where as other forms had less numbers of significant variables. The analysis with respect to resource use showed that feed, labour and floor space were over utilized during the period of egg lay

IMPACT OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN TEACHING AND LEARNING OF BIOLOGY IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN

ABSTRACT. This study was designed to determine the impact of instructional materials in teaching and learning of Biology by SS II students in Yakurr local government area of Cross River state. In order to effectively handle the study, four research questions were formulated to guide the study. The descriptive statistical method was employed so as to determine the impact of teacher&apos;s effectiveness. Five (5) comparable secondary schools were selected to represent the population of the study. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentage method to verify the research questions formulated for this study. The result of the findings revealed that there is a positive achievement in students taught by highly qualified biology teachers and those exposed to instructional materials during lessons. It was recommended that government make available to schools the basic instructional materials as this will enhance an effective teaching and learning process

Growth of seashore paspalum, (<i>Paspalum vaginatum L</i>) in soil contaminated with crude petroleum oil

The effect of crude oil contaminated soil on the growth of seashore Paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum .) seedlings was investigated. Plants were grown in soil containing different concentrations: 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3% (w/w) of Abura crude petroleum oil. Growth parameter such as shoot number, shoot length, leaf area and biomass accumulation were evaluated. The results showed that crude oil imposed physiological stress in the seedlings. There was a dose response decline in all the growth attributes examined. There was also a significant difference in plant growth with respect to time of crude oil application. At the highest applied concentration(3 % [w/w]), plants grown in soil previously contaminated with petroleum oil showed about 50 % reduction in biomass accumulation when compared with the uncontaminated control whereas established plants post -treated with crude petroleum oil showed a 30% reduction. There was no mortality at any of the crude oil concentrations to which to plant was exposed. The experiment demonstrated the potential of using Paspalum vaginatum for phytoremediatio

Growth of seashore paspalum, ( Paspalum vaginatum L) in soil contaminated with crude petroleum oil

The effect of crude oil contaminated soil on the growth of seashore Paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum ) seedlings was investigated. Plants were grown in soil containing different concentrations: 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3% (w/w) of Abura crude petroleum oil. Growth parameter such as shoot number, shoot length, leaf area and biomass accumulation were evaluated. The results showed that crude oil imposed physiological stress in the seedlings. There was a dose response decline in all the growth attributes examined. There was also a significant difference in plant growth with respect to time of crude oil application. At the highest applied concentration(3 % [w/w]), plants grown in soil previously contaminated with petroleum oil showed about 50 % reduction in biomass accumulation when compared with the uncontaminated control whereas established plants post -treated with crude petroleum oil showed a 30% reduction. There was no mortality at any of the crude oil concentrations to which to plant was exposed. The experiment demonstrated the potential of using Paspalum vaginatum for phytoremediation

The Effect Of Administration Of Amodiaquine On Some Parameters Of Neurobehaviour Of Wistar Rats

The effect of administration of Amodiaquine (AQ) on some parameters of neurobehaviour of Wistar rats was carried out. Twenty adult Wistar rats weighing between 160-190g were divided equally into four groups. Group 1 served as the control, while groups 2, 3 and 4 were the experimental groups. The control group received distilled water. Groups 2 and 3 were treated with 8.75mg/kg and 17.50mg/kg respectively of AQ for three days, while group 4 was treated with 8.75mg/kg of AQ for six days. Neurobehaviour test using the open field was carried out twelve hours after the last administrations. There were no significant differences between the control and the experimental groups in total locomotor activity (TLA), central square duration (CSD), stretch-attend (SA) and defecation. In the central square frequency (CSF), group 3 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than all the groups, while the control was the same as group 4, but higher than group 2, with the difference not being significant. In conclusion, AQ increased TLA and exploration, while simultaneously reducing anxiety in Wistar rats and these were dose dependent