Vol 16, No 2 , 2015-1, African Scientist

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) on the growth and yield of two okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) varieties (V35 and Clemson spineless). The experiment was conducted in the screen house and field at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. The screen house experiment was set up in a complete randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The field trial was set up in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.

In the present study, seeds of Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millspaugh) accessions (Brown and Cream colours) were treated with different concentrations of Ethyl methane sulphonate (0.0 %, 0.01 %, 0.02 %, 0.03 %, 0.04 %, 0.05 %, 0.06 % and 0.07 %). The seeds were sown and monitored for 30 days. Data obtained showed a trendy effect. Data obtained showed that germination percentage was decreased with an increase in the mutagen concentration when compared with the control.

 The study was a 2-arm individually randomized clinical trial conducted at the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Lagos, Nigeria, aimed to improve the overall patient adherence to tuberculosis treatment using Video Observed Therapy (VOT). A total of 100 participants were recruited to this study. Data was collected through the NimCure mobile app and patient records. Results obtained showed a high rate of at least 90% adherence to TB treatment was achieved in both VOT and DOT groups.

Two aquarium tanks labelled A and B were each half filled with water. They were kept open outside the laboratory for seven days so that mosquito larvae will develop in them. Then plankton samples were collected from Ikpoba dam with two plankton nets of 55µm and 100µm mesh sizes. Copepod species were sorted out from the plankton samples and poured into tank A, while tank B was left alone as control. The two tanks were examined after five days. Results showed that the copepod species have eaten up all the mosquito larvae in tank A while in tank B, mosquito larvae were seen in abundance.

The concentration, distribution and sources of petroleum hydrocarbons in soils from selected areas in  Abraka, Delta State, were evaluated. Soil samples were collected from areas suspected to be contaminated with  petroleum hydrocarbons, which were also in proximity to human population. These areas included busy junctions, generator maintenance workshops, suya joint, drainage and fuel stations. Samples were extracted using nhexane/dichloromethane mixture and quantified using gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector.

Reducing sugar is a sugar that serves as a reducing agent. It falls under the category of carbohydrate or natural sugar but it consist of either a free aldehyde group (-CHO) or a ketone groups called the reducing end of the sugar. Microbial growth describes an increase in cell number of microorganisms provided with suitable nutritional and environmental conditions.

The methanol extract of Annona muricata leaf was investigated for its effects on -cell dysfunction, and  atherogenenic dyslipidaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Thirty (30) mice of both sexes, aged between 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into normal, diabetic, diabetic + glibenclamide(5mg/kg), diabetic+250 mg/kg A. muricata Extract, diabetic+500 mg/kg A. muricata Extract, diabetic+1000 mg/kg A. muricata Extract, groups (n=6/group). Alloxan was administered intraperitoneally while extracts and glibenclamide were given via oral route for 21 days.

This study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activities of commercially available alcohol-based  handsanitizers (2Sure, Dettol and Carex) on some clinical bacterial isolates. The isolates were obtained from the laboratory stock culture of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City.

Fe (III) compounds which are formed from the oxidation of Fe(II) by iron bacteria precipitates, and forms iron oxides - an extensive orange mats of organic material, which is often found present in the ground water, evident by the rust stain colour seen on almost all the water storage tanks in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Hence, this study characterized iron bacteria diversity in groundwater, which is a major source of drinking water in the state.

Potential impacts on the environment from the escape or release of genetically engineered organisms was the committee's greatest science-based concerns associated with animal biotechnology, in large part due to the uncertainty inherent in identifying environmental problems early on and the difficulty of remediation once a problem has been identified. The intent of this chapter is to identify the risks to the environment posed by GE animals, prioritize those risks, and explain the criteria used for selecting them.