Volume 17, No 1 , 2016

Preliminary Study on the Effect of Different Concentrations of EMS on Two Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) Accessions

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.

Impact of a Digital Health Platform (NimCure) on Adherence Enhancement in Tuberculosis Therapy

 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.

Biological Control of Mosquitoes Using Copepod Species in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

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.

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Characterisation of Hydrocarbon Pollutants in Soils from Selected Areas in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

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.

Evaluating the Concept of Reducing Sugar (Glucose) and Growth in L-Asparaginase Production Using Some Selected Marine Actinomycetes

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.

Possible Potency of Annona muricata L. Methanol Leaf Extract in Ameliorating Pancreatic Cell Function in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Mice

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.

Antibacterial Activity of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers on Some Clinical Bacterial Isolates

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.

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Molecular Characterization of Iron-Related Bacteria in Ground Water in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

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.

Environmental Concerns

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.

Animal Health and Welfare

The effects of genetic engineering on animal health and welfare are of significant public concern (Mench, 1999). Ideas about animal welfare are shaped by cultural attitudes toward animals (Burghart and Herzog, 1989), and animal welfare has proven difficult to assess because it is so multifaceted and involves ethical judgments (Mason and Mendl, 1993; Fraser, 1999).