Swim test for joint angles dispersion analysis during hind limb motor function assessment in SCI models

In the most of functional studies, various stress tests are used to assess functional improvement following spinal cord injury in animal models. However, available methods of motor function evaluation are not always accurate and unbiased. The main objective of the study was to create a new method of motor activity assessment in minor animal models of spinal cord injury. This method should provide an objective and accurate evaluation of limb motor function in models having severe neurological disorders following contusion spinal cord injury. The swimming test was used as the key behavioral test. To assess the motor function of swimming animals’ hind limbs, we measured angles of hind limbs movements adjusted to the motion direction axis. Then we calculated individual angles dispersion for each joint and limb using the parameters of angles sample dispersion and amplitude-depending dispersion. The current study included two groups of Sprague-Dawley rats: control group and a group of animals having moderate thoracic spinal cord contusion injury. Control animals demonstrated stable dispersion indicators for 6 weeks of follow-up. In the experimental group, a tendency to the improvement of motor function in hind limbs between 1 and 3 weeks was revealed followed by stabilization and preservation of both indicators between 3 and 6 weeks. Provided method based on the measurement of joint angles adjusted to the movement direction axis followed by calculation of indicators of variance of a random variable and amplitude-depending variance can be an effective and objective alternative for motor function evaluation.

Blood glucose regulating hormones and their physiological and biochemical roles

Regulation and coordination of different body organs is important in multicellular organisms. Hormones and the nervous system participate in this synchronization. Hormones are the compounds and chemical messengers produced by cells, glands, or special tissues called the endocrine system and released into the bloodstream. In addition to the hormones, blood is consist of proteins, sugars, lipids, vitamins, etc. Blood sugar is glucose which produces energy in the body. Regular blood glucose levels vary at different ages and exceed 120-170 mg / dl. It is harmful and even fatal to increase or decrease it from the normal level, so the concentration of glucose dissolved in plasma was subject to tight regulation and various regulatory mechanisms were developed thereon. Hormones cortisol, glucagon, adrenaline, and glucocorticoids are the major regulators. These substances are tracked regularly to prevent blood glucose from rising and dropping. Insulin consists of hyperglycemia, as well as other hormones. The mechanism by which it affects the metabolism of the food (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins) prevents hypoglycemia in several respects.

Larvicidal activity of some selected medicinal plant extracts against the vector of filariasis

The present study assessed the role of larvicidal activities of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol dried leaf and bark extracts of Ocimum gratissimum, Gleditsia triacanthos, Eucalyptus sglobulus and Azadirachta aindica against the fourth instar larvae of filariasis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae). Larvicidal activities of four medicinal plant extracts were studied in the range of 4.69 to 1000 mg/l in the laboratory bioassays against early 4th instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. The mortality data were subjected to probit analysis to determine the lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) to kill 50 and 90 per cent of the treated larvae of the respective species. All plant extracts showed moderate effects after 24 h of exposure; however, the highest toxic effect of leaf methanol extract of Ocimum gratissimum, bark ethyl acetate extract of Eucalyptus globulus, methanol extract of Azadirachta indicia and methanol bark extract of Gleditsia triacanthos against the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus with LC50=43.00, 41.02, 40.12 and 20.36 mg/l; LC90=278.32, 218.72, 215.01 and 86.29 mg/l respectively. The result of findings shows that leaf and bark extract of G. tricantha, A .indica, O. gratissimum and E .globulus can be developed as ecofriendly larvicides.

Comparing the efficiency of base and multiplicative selection indices for yield and quality traits in Cassava

The efficiency of two selection indices; base index and the multiplicative index was compared to determine the effectiveness of each in identifying superior genotypes in cassava (Manihot esculent Crantz) population. Genotypic data on various yield and quality traits among 570 cassava genotypes were used to construct these selection indices. The efficiency of these indices was compared by determining the performance means of each genotype for studied traits and computing selection differentials of each index. Best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs) for dry matter content and harvest index were also used for comparison of the two selection indices. The base index produced high-performance means of all five studied traits and proved to be more efficient compared to the multiplicative index in the improvement of cassava genotypes. In addition, the base index produced high selection differentials for three out of five studied traits. It was concluded that the base index is useful in cassava germplasm selection

Floristic diversity and management of fodder resources of the natural pastures of the Savanna Highlands of Western Cameroon

Sustainable management of pastoral resources requires knowledge in terms of floristic diversity and productivity of the rangelands. The objective of the present study carried out in the Bamboutos Mountains was to assess the floristic diversity and carrying capacity of the natural pastures. Floristic inventory was done using the method of quadrat point aligned in 15 plots of 400 m². Aerial phytomass of herbaceous plants was measured by the full harvest method. A total of 74 species, including 09 woody plants belonging to 56 genera and 20 families were recorded. The number of taxa recorded in the plots varied from 11 to 36 species. Imperata cylindrica with a specific contribution of presence of 17.45% was the most abundant species in the rangeland. The species-richest families were Poaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Cyperaceae. The calculated pastoral value of the pasture was 56.21%. These pastures were dominated by phanerophytes (29.72%) and therophytes (24.32%). The forage productivity of the grazed area, estimated based on the regrowth biomass was 6498.57 kg DM/ha while the carrying capacity of the rangeland was 2.31 TLU/ha. These results showed that the fodder potential of the Bamboutos Mountains is enough diversified but remains under exploited.

Phytochemical screening and antifungal potentials of Citrus limon peels against Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizopus stolonifer causing rots in water melon (Citrullus lanatus L.)

This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and antifungal potential of Citrus limon peels using aqueous and methanol extracts against Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizopus stolonifer causing rots in water melon. The result of phytocemical screening revealed the presence of Saponin, Tannin, Phenols, Alkaloid and Flavanoid. Pathogenicity test conducted showed that F. oxysporum and R. stolonifer causes rots of Citrullus lanatus. The extracts inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum (76.67% and 60.00 %) methanol and aqueous respectively. R. stolonifer growth was inhibited (85.93% and 71.11%) methanol and aqueous extracts. The fungitoxicity of synthetic fungicide Benomyl was 95.56%. The methanol extracts has highest inhibitory activity than aqueous extract. The result of the findings indicates the Biofungicide potentials of Citrus limon peels as alternative to synthetic fungicide in management of phyto-pathogens of water lemon.

Detection and identification of public health important pathogens present in fruit salads sold on Lagos State University campus

A total of fifteen pre-packaged fruit salad samples containing pineapple, water melon, pawpaw and cucumber sold in the Lagos State University, Ojo Campus was analyzed using culture techniques for its microbial qualities. Five bacteria genera isolates obtained are Bacillus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas spp, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus and the three fungi genera isolates are Aspergillus species, Penicillium species, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Escherichia coli had the highest frequency of (40%) followed by Streptococcus with (20%), Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas has the same frequency of (13%). The total viable count was in the range of 1.6 × 105 cfu/g to 5.65 × 105 cfu/g while the total coliform count ranged from 1.0 × 105 to 3.3 × 105 cfu/g. The fungal count ranged from 1.5 × 105 to 3.4 × 105 cfu/g. This study revealed that fruit salads in the studied area needs proper sanitation practice during processing in order to avoid risks associated with the consumption of contaminated fruits for the consumers.

Degradation of Phenanthrene and some selected Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Lysinibacillus fusiformis (ALSL 5)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are universal environmental contaminants of great concern with regard to their potential exposure and deleterious effect on human health. This study was conducted to determine phenanthrene and other PAHs degradation activity of Lysinibacillus fusiformis . The biodegradation study was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and the result showed that the isolate was able to degrade 57 %, the rate of degradation was 6.126 mg/l/day, the rate of degradation constant was 0.0085 /day and the half-life was 8.0975 days in the selective medium within days 10. Lysinibacillus fusiformis, ALSL 5 also showed activities on the other PAHs it was tested on. The results revealed that Lysinibacillus fusiformis, ALSL 5 was able to degrade phenanthrene significantly and it could prove to be promising bacteria for bioremediation of PAH-containing pollutant from the contaminated site.

ATM Shield: Analysis of Multitier Security Issues of ATM in the Context of Bangladesh

Over the last decade, consumers have been largely dependent on and trust the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) to conveniently meet their banking needs. However, despite the numerous advantages of ATM system, ATM fraud has recently become more widespread. In this paper, we provide an overview of the possible fraudulent activities that may be perpetrated against ATMs and investigates recommended approaches to prevent these types of frauds. In particular, we develop a prototype model for the utilization of three tier security equipped ATM to provide security solutions against must of the well-known breaches. In this research article, the tools and techniques of ATM fraud are contemplated. A secure three layer electronic transaction mechanism of ATM is developed to prevent ATM frauds. In this three layer authentication systems the users can improve ATM security against frauds and crimes.

Bioactive constituents and allelopathic activities of the invasive weed Ranunculus sceleratus L. Nile Delta, Egypt

Ranunculus sceleratus L. (celery-leaved buttercup) is a herbaceous plant grows in wet and moist habitats and is native to temperate and boreal North America and Eurasia. Moreover, it is listed as an invasive weed in northern Africa, Europe and Asia. This study aimed to determine some secondary products in R. sceleratus (Shoot and Root system) collected from canal banks of drains, Nile Delta, Egypt and to demonstrate their antioxidant and allelopathic potential. Results revealed that, methanolic extract of R. sceleratus rich in phenols, saponins and tannins. The antioxidant activity of the R. sceleratus has IC50 value of 0.37 mg/ml and 0.34 mg/ml for shoot and root, respectively, compared to 0.15 mg/ml for catechol. At 400 mg/ml, Chenopodium murale germination was inhibited by 79.74% and 92.64 for shoot and root extract, respectively, compared to control. However, the shoot growth was reduced by 76.06 % and 87.96 %, with the same sequence. The root growth was more sensitive to the allelopathic effect compared to the shoot, where it was inhibited by 82.68% and 98.67%, respectively, compared to control at the highest concentration. The obtained results on this invisive weed R. sceleratus could be a source of eco-friendly bioherbicides against C. murale and as a source of antioxidants.