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Preliminary Investigation of the Influence of Housing Types on Reproductive Characteristics of Snail (Achatina Achatina)
Mogbo Tochukwu Chinedu,
Okeke John Joseph,
Ufele Angela Nwogor,
Nwosu Moses Chukwuemeka,
Ibemenuga Keziah Nwamaka
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2013
Pages:
54-58
Received:
13 October 2013
Published:
10 November 2013
Abstract: Most efforts towards boosting reproduction in snails are directed towards nutrition and soil composition and little emphasis have been placed in exploring other factors that might influence reproduction in snails. The influence of housing types on reproductive characteristics of Achatina achatina was investigated with ninety juvenile snails subjected to each of the three housing treatments in replicates of 15 snails per replicate for 36 weeks. The housing treatments had the same dimensions (120 cm x 60 cm x 30 cm) and were labeled as: - Treatment A (Hutch box), Treatment B (Trench pen) and Treatment C (Mini-paddock pen). The housing treatments and its surroundings were fitted with a digital thermometer and hygrometer to take daily readings of internal and ambient temperature and humidity. The snails in each replicate were fed daily rations of 60 g of dry Guinea corn bran, 50 g ground egg shell and water was also supplied. The reproductive parameters investigated were egg production and hatchability of eggs. Other parameters investigated were temperature and humidity variations. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the means of the reproductive parameters even though the highest yield of egg production and hatchability of eggs were observed in snails subjected to Treatment C. The temperature variation was lowest in Treatment C (4.0o C) and highest in Treatment B (6.9o C). The humidity variation was also lowest in Treatment C (14.5%) and highest in Treatment B (15.9%). The study recommends that any of the housing treatments can be used as laying pens for Achatina achatina since housing has no significant influence on their reproductive characteristics.
Abstract: Most efforts towards boosting reproduction in snails are directed towards nutrition and soil composition and little emphasis have been placed in exploring other factors that might influence reproduction in snails. The influence of housing types on reproductive characteristics of Achatina achatina was investigated with ninety juvenile snails subject...
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Influence of Exogenous Oxidative Stress on Escherichia Coli Cell Growth, Viability and Morphology
Md. Sakil Munna,
Ifra Tun NUR,
Tasmina Rahman,
Rashed Noor
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2013
Pages:
59-62
Received:
23 October 2013
Published:
10 November 2013
Abstract: The present study attempted to determine the influence of exogenous oxidative stress on the cell viability of Escherichia coli. In this regard, 3mM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was added to the late log phase of E. coli culture, and afterwards the phenotype, cell morphology and the ability to form colony forming units (CFU) on agar plates were examined. As expected, a quick phenotypic suppression as well as a rapid decline in viable and culturable cell numbers was observed at the mid-stationary phase as compared to control. Interestingly, a large mass of cell aggregates was noticed upon addition of H2O2. Thus the current investigation corroborated the previous findings and further added to the existing knowledge on oxidative stress events in E. coli.
Abstract: The present study attempted to determine the influence of exogenous oxidative stress on the cell viability of Escherichia coli. In this regard, 3mM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was added to the late log phase of E. coli culture, and afterwards the phenotype, cell morphology and the ability to form colony forming units (CFU) on agar plates were examined...
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Statistical Evaluation of Indicators of Diagnostic Test Performance
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2013
Pages:
63-73
Received:
21 October 2013
Published:
20 November 2013
Abstract: Diagnostic accuracy relates to the ability of a test to discriminate between the target condition and health. This discriminative potential can be quantified by the measures of diagnostic accuracy such as sensitivity and specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios, error rates, the area under the ROC curve, Youden's index and diagnostic odds ratio. Different measures of diagnostic accuracy relate to the different aspects of diagnostic procedure: while some measures are used to assess the discriminative property of the test, others are used to assess its predictive ability. Measures of diagnostic accuracy are not fixed indicators of a test performance, some are very sensitive to the disease prevalence, while others to the spectrum and definition of the disease. Furthermore, measures of diagnostic accuracy are extremely sensitive to the design of the study. Studies not meeting strict methodological standards usually over- or under-estimate the indicators of test performance as well as they limit the applicability of the results of the study. STARD initiative was a very important step toward the improvement of the quality of reporting of studies of diagnostic accuracy. STARD statement should be included into the Instructions to authors by scientific journals and authors should be encouraged to use the checklist whenever reporting their studies on diagnostic accuracy. Such efforts could make a substantial difference in the quality of reporting of studies of diagnostic accuracy and serve to provide the best possible evidence to the best for the patient care. This brief review outlines some basic definitions, formulas and characteristics of the measures of diagnostic accuracy.
Abstract: Diagnostic accuracy relates to the ability of a test to discriminate between the target condition and health. This discriminative potential can be quantified by the measures of diagnostic accuracy such as sensitivity and specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios, error rates, the area under the ROC curve, Youden's index and diagnostic odds ...
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Comparative Study of Proximate Chemical Composition of Two Varieties of Okra Dried by Two Methods: Sun and Electric Drying
Joel Brice Kouassi,
Cisse-Camara Massara,
Absalom Ake Monde,
Georges Gnomblesson Tiahou,
Daniel Essiagne Sess,
Etienne Tia vama
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2013
Pages:
74-79
Received:
21 October 2013
Published:
20 November 2013
Abstract: This study aimed to determine and compare the proximate chemical composition of two varieties of okra dried by two methods: electric and sun drying. After the growing of the two varieties of okra (Baoule and Dioula) at several sites in Yamoussoukro, the fruits of these varieties were harvested randomly at maturity (45 days for Dioula variety and 120 days for the Baoule variety). These fruits were then cut into slices and dried in the sun for 3 weeks and in the oven for 48 h and powdered. The proximate chemical compositions were subsequently determined. The results indicated that the two varieties of dried okra are rich in carbohydrates and proteins with an interesting energy values for both drying methods but higher when drying is done at 60 °C. This study showed that drying is a way of valorization of the okra. Drying at 60°C would be interesting since it induces fewer modifications of the proximate chemical composition of the okras with higher energy values and a shorter time of drying.
Abstract: This study aimed to determine and compare the proximate chemical composition of two varieties of okra dried by two methods: electric and sun drying. After the growing of the two varieties of okra (Baoule and Dioula) at several sites in Yamoussoukro, the fruits of these varieties were harvested randomly at maturity (45 days for Dioula variety and 12...
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Introgression the SALTOL QTL into Q5DB, the Elite Variety of Vietnam Using Marker- Assisted - Selection (MAS)
Luu Thi Ngoc Huyen,
Luu Minh Cuc,
Le Huy Ham,
Tran Dang Khanh
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2013
Pages:
80-84
Received:
1 October 2013
Published:
30 November 2013
Abstract: Rice is a main food crop in Vietnam and plays a key role in economic growth in this country. However, its production and cultivating areas are severely affected from the threats of devastation caused by the rise of sea level. In this study, we have focused on developing new rice lines with salinity tolerance and high yield by applying markers assisted selection (MAS). Total of 21 primers in the Saltol QTL region were checked with the two parents varieties to identify polymorphic primers for screening the Saltol QTL region of the breeding populations. The individual plants in BC1, BC2, and BC3 generations of the Q5DB/FL478 were analyzed to evaluate the introgression of Saltol fragment into Q5DB cultivar. After screening of 3 BC generations, the best individual plants of BC3F1 of the plant numbers QF-3-1, QF-3-2, QF4-3-3, QF6-3 with almost the recipient alleles were selected. Conventional breeding was developed on BC3F2 for selection of the new salt tolerance rice lines with high yield, resistance to the biotic stress. The salinity tolerance of the new lines was also performed using the standard system of screening.
Abstract: Rice is a main food crop in Vietnam and plays a key role in economic growth in this country. However, its production and cultivating areas are severely affected from the threats of devastation caused by the rise of sea level. In this study, we have focused on developing new rice lines with salinity tolerance and high yield by applying markers assis...
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Toxic Effect Study of Methanol Extract of Terminalia Glaucesens Leaves Following Single or Short-Term Repetitive Oral Administration in Swiss Mice
Tano Konan Dominique,
Kouadio James Halbin,
Yavo William,
Djaman Alico Joseph,
Menan Eby Ignace Hervé
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2013
Pages:
85-90
Received:
19 December 2013
Published:
10 January 2014
Abstract: The uses of different parts of the plant Terminalia glaucescens in traditional medicine is well known in some African countries. Thus, the methanol or aqueous extract of plant leaves or roots was pharmacologically studied for its benefit effects in malaria, diabetes, cardiac and hepatic diseases. However, there is no investigation in probable adverse effect in order to determine safety dose for human users. In consequence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate both acute and sub-acute toxicity of methanol extract of Terminalia glaucescens leaves in Swiss mice following single oral and repetitive administration. As results, the oral LD50 of the preparation in Swiss mice was found to be greater than 2500 mg/kg body weight (bw). In the repetitive toxicity study, Swiss mice (10/sex/group) were administered via oral gavage 0 (control), 13.90 (traditional therapeutic dose for malaria) and high dose 1390 mg/kg bw/day of the plant leaves extract for 15 days. Administration of the plant leaves preparation did not result in any toxicologically significant treatment-related changes in clinical (including behavioral) observations. Interestingly, benefit effects have been observed in body weights for therapeutic dose (13.90 mg/kg bw/day) and some organs weight such as kidney and spleen (for females) were increased. Hepatoprotection and hypolipidemic actions have been observed with serum ALT and lipids (total cholesterol and triglycerides) decrease in mice having received therapeutic dose (13.90 mg/kg bw/day). In addition, benefit effect has been observed in hemoglobin amount in animal treated by therapeutic dose. In parallel, precocious adverse effects have been observed with high dose of 1390 mg/kg bw/day in body weights and hemoglobin amounts and leukocytes cells number which were decreased when compared to control (p<0.01). This leucopenia was not linked to lymphocytes because they stayed unchanged. Probable neutropenia or myelotoxic effect could be the etiology of such leucopenia. Based on the results of this study, the No Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (NOAEL) for methanol extract of Terminalia glaucescens leaves in Swiss mice could be near but under 1390mg/kg bw/ day.
Abstract: The uses of different parts of the plant Terminalia glaucescens in traditional medicine is well known in some African countries. Thus, the methanol or aqueous extract of plant leaves or roots was pharmacologically studied for its benefit effects in malaria, diabetes, cardiac and hepatic diseases. However, there is no investigation in probable adver...
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