October 2008
Effects of anti-malarial alkaloids on the sperm properties and blood levels of reproductive hormones of adult men
The effects of treatment with the anti-malarial alkaloids quinine and chloroquine on sperm properties and blood levels of selected reproductive hormones (testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormones) of adult men were determined. Informed consents were obtained from twenty healthy adult volunteers who were subsequently allotted to groups A and B with 5 subjects each .While group C had 10 subjects....
October 2008
A five year study on the susceptibility of isolates from various parts of the body
In Nigeria, like most developing countries, there is little or complete lack of antibiotic prescribing policy. This results in a situation where antimicrobial agents are bought and consumed indiscriminately, thus leading to drug abuse. The ugly consequence is the development of resistance by microorganisms to these antimicrobial agents. This study seeks to determine the antibiogram of common isolates from swabs and...
October 2008
Fungal contamination of eye lenses and frames of patients attending optometry clinic at Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria
Fungal contamination of eye lenses of eye patients attending the Optometry Clinic in Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria, was investigated using culture technique. Of the four hundred and fifty patients’ lenses screened between March 2003 – February 2004, sixty-eight (15.11%) had fungal contamination. Aspergillus species (41.1%) was the most prevalent, followed by Penicillium species (30.9%) while...
October 2008
Analysis of genetic variation in Erianthus arundinaceum by random amplified polymorphic DNA markers
The polymorphism and relationships among 51 Erianthus arundinaceum accessions were assessed with RAPDs. One hundred and twenty-seven bands were detected, of which 89 were polymorphic (70.07%). Accession relationships were estimated through cluster analysis (UPGMA) based on RAPD data. Key words: Erianthus arundinaceum, genetic diversity, RAPD, UPGMA.
October 2008
Diallel analysis of anther culture response in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
The four wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes differing in their ability to produce embryogenic callus from anther culture were reciprocally crossed and inheritance of anther culture response [callus induction frequency (CIF, %), embryogenic callus induction frequency (ECIF, %), regeneration capacity of callus (RCC, %), plantlet regeneration frequency (PRF, %), green plantlet proportion (GPP, %) and green...
October 2008
Identification and characterization of Bms3a in Bombyx mori L.
Using fluorescent differential display (FDD) technique, we analyzed the differential expression of genes related to BmNPV resistance in highly resistant silkworm strain NB, highly susceptible silkworm strain 306 and near isogenic line 306NNZZ. Based on the differential display bands, a 609 bp fragment named C18609 was cloned and confirmed by Northern blot hybridization. The sequence was then electric extended by...
October 2008
Effect of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on the physiological and biochemical changes of five different tree seedlings grown under nursery conditions
The symbiotic association between certain plants and microorganisms plays an important role in soil fertilization, and improves their growth and mineral nutrition. The symbiotic association between vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and roots provides a significant contribution to plant nutrition and growth. VAM mycelium in soil results in greater efficiency of nutrient absorption particularly for slowly...
October 2008
Rooting success using IBA auxin on endangered Leucadendron laxum (PROTEACEAE) in different rooting mediums
Leucadendron laxum (Marsh rose Leucadendron) was tested for its rooting ability as an endangered plant species for reintroduction into the natural habitat, using IBA liquid hormone preparations and four growth media. The treatments included a control, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm concentrations. Four growth media, namely: bark and polystyrene; peat moss and polystyrene; bark, river sand and...
October 2008
In vitro assessment of antibacterial activity of bark extracts of Khaya senegalensis
In vitro antibacterial activity of aqueous, ethanol and acetone extracts of Khaya senegalensis were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Klebsiella pneumoniae andPseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimen. The acetone extracts showed higher antibacterial activity compared to the aqueous and ethanol extracts. The...
October 2008
Reproductive biology in the medicinal plant, Plumbago zeylanica L
Plumbago zeylanica L. is an important medicinal plant traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases. Phenology from seed germination via vegetative growth to reproductive development was studied under glasshouse and nursery conditions. Seeds rapidly germinated on a mixture of nursery soil and cattle dung in a ratio of 3:1 filled in pots or on cultivated soil under nursery conditions as a prerequisite for...
October 2008
Levels and geochemical fractions of Cd, Pb and Zn in valley bottom soils of some urban cities in south-western Nigeria
The valley bottom soils of urban cities are sink for municipal and industrial solid and liquid wastes. These valleys are used by urban farmers to grow vegetables for the consumption of urban dwellers. Knowledge of total content of heavy metals is not enough to fully assess the environmental impact of these soils. Therefore the determination of metal fractions in solution is very important to understand their behaviour...
October 2008
Hormonal and haematological responses of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) to ammonia toxicity
This study assessed hormonal and haematological responses of Clarias gariepinusto ammonia toxicity. Laboratory study of haematological responses of adult C. gariepinus to sub-lethal level of ammonia (2.2 g/l) at different exposure hours (0, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96 h) were carried out. Blood samples of C. gariepinus were collected at each exposure hour and evaluated for primary and secondary stress...
October 2008
Design and application of new type of oxygen supplier for water and wastewater treatment
A new oxygen supplier was designed to inject both ozone and air into the water under high pressure. The oxygen transfer coefficient (KLa) of the system with air and ozone were 0.0264 and 0.4900, respectively. The oxygen transfer efficiencies of the system with ozone and air were 73.58 and 52.17%, respectively. The system could be applied to increase the dissolved oxygen (DO) in domestic wastewater. DO of the wastewater...
October 2008
Interactive Influence of N and P on their uptake by four different hydrophytes
The uptake kinetics of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) by hydrophytes can be influenced by the interaction between N and P. In this study, Pistia stratiotes (a floating plant), Eichhornia crassipes (a floating plant), Vallisneria spiralis (a submerged plant), and Cyperus papyrus (an emergent plant) were selected to measure the uptake kinetics of N and P. The results indicated...
October 2008
A kinetic model for citric acid production from apple pomac by Aspergillus niger
The fermentation kinetics of citric acid by Aspergillus niger were studied in a batch system. A simple model was proposed using the logistic equation for growth, the Luedeking-Piret equation for citric acid production and Luedeking-Piret-like equation for glucose consumption. The model appeared to provide a reasonable description for each parameter during the growth phase. The production of citric acid...
October 2008
Clotting of cow (Bos taurus) and goat milk (Capra hircus) using calve and kid rennets
The ease to locally produce kid rennet contrary to that of calve has led us to compare the proteolytic and clotting activities of these two rennets depending on their action on goat (Capra hircus) milk and cow (Bos taurus) milk. The proteolysis was measured by determining the increase of non-protein nitrogen according to the kjeldalh method and milk coagulation was monitored with the aid of a formagraph. Each rennet...
October 2008
Yield performances and nutritional contents of three oyster mushroom species cultivated on wheat stalk
This study was conducted to determine nutritive value and yield performance of the three types of oyster mushroom; Pleurotus eryngii (Dc. Ex Fr.) quel), Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.: Fr.) Kumm.) and Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer, cultivated on wheat stalk. The total fresh mushroom yields obtained with 100 g material (70% misture) after the three harvests and the...
October 2008
Amino acid profile of two non-conventional leafy vegetables, Sesamum indicum and Balanites aegyptiaca
The leaves of Sesamum indicum and Balanites aegyptiaca are popularly consumed in Adamawa State of Nigeria largely by the rural communities. They were analyzed to determine proximate nutrient content, amino acid composition and antinutritional factors. Data obtained for proximate composition showed protein content of 18.59 and 15.86% for S. indicum and B. Aegyptiaca, respectively....
October 2008
Screening of endophytic fungi that promote the growth of Euphorbia pekinensis
This study explored a strategy to use endophytic fungi for promoting the growth of the medicinal plant, Euphorbia pekinensis. The growth of E. pekinensis was examined in pot culture following inoculation of E. pekinensis with endophytic fungal strains (Fusarium spp.) from E. pekinensis (E4 and E5) and those not from E. pekinensis (B3, B6 and S12). The...
October 2008
Effect of intravenous injection of galanin on plasma concentrations of growth hormone, thyroid hormones and milk production in the Saanen goat
The goal of this study was to determine whether intravenously galanin injection effect on plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and milk production in the Saanen goats. Fifteen Saanen goats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 3 in each group). Each group received daily injection of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g galanin/Kg for 10 days (period of injection). Blood and milk...
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