In managing and organising the development of wild animals for humans, many actors have been involved. The involvement of actors in promoting conservation and all related saving environment has been weak and un-ruled. The objective of this study was mapping, and providing apparent involvement of stakeholders related to actor characteristics, resources used, power-interest created, and contribute to wild animal conservation using the concept of stakeholder and institutions relationships. This research aims to distinctively map and provide apparent involvement of actors or stakeholders concerning their contribution towards wild animal development in West Papua. As many as 15 institutions were interviewed according to the roles and resources of individuals working formally and informally. The parameters collected include the structure, status of law, and types of the organisation and stakeholders' role, effect, importance, threat, and turn-back impact. The data gathered include shared resources, power-interest actors, and interventions-innovations. All data were stored in a Microsoft Excel worksheet and exported to software SNA version 2.5. Research findings showed several significant and strategic characteristic typologies and resources belong to actors for national, local, and grass-root levels. The interest and power embedded into actors determined how intense and severe an actor works in establishing the programs and projects. We inventoried shared resources, duration of the period played by actors, continuity resource roles, power of resources, and intervention needs. Keywords : wild animal, stakeholders, Actors, Social Network Analysis, West Papua DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/15-1-06 Publication date: February 28 th 2024
In this study, preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant activity of crude methanolic extract of whole plant of Malva parviflora were evaluated. Phytochemical screening was achieved using standard assay methods and for antioxidant activity, three assays viz. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, phosphomolybdate assay (total antioxidant capacity, TAC) and ferric reducing power assay were used to screen the extract at various concentrations. The extract demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins and terpenoids. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity of methanolic M. parviflora extract (MMP) were found to be in the range 41.88±1.69 to 95.44±2.91% and 52.45±1.45 to 89.65±2.84% respectively. MMP was found to be potent with IC50 values for DPPH and TAC being 91.61 and 29.15 µg/mL, respectively. MMP was found to be dose-dependent as its reducing power increased with extract concentration. Generally, MMP exhibited promising phytochemical and antioxidative properties as a potential source for novel drugs. As such, further studies are required on this plant in order to commercial new products. Keywords: Phytochemical screening, DPPH assay, phosphomolybdate assay, methanol extract, Malva parviflora DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/15-2-03 Publication date: May 31st 2024
Introduction: Schizophrenia is an endogenous psychotic disorder, which is characterized by the presence of positive and negative symptoms that affect the normal functioning of patients and play important role in their quality of life. Purpose: The main purpose of this research was to introduce the relationship between positive and negative symptoms and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: The research involved 40 randomly selected male and female respondents from 18 to 60 years of age who suffer from schizophrenia according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases – ICD 10. The instruments used are: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the Scale for the quality of life (WHOQOL Questionnaire - BREF). The statistical analysis of the data was done with the SPSS software package (version 20). Results: The study showed that there is a statistically significant negative relationship between positive symptoms of schizophrenia and mental health (r= -.682, p<.01), positive symptoms and social relationships (r=-.764, p<.01), positive symptoms and living conditions (r=-.732, p<.05). Regarding negative symptoms of schizophrenia and dimensions of quality of life, it was found that there is a statistically positive significant relationship between negative symptoms of schizophrenia and physical health (r=.833, p<.01); negative symptoms of schizophrenia and mental health (r=-.752, p<.05); negative symptoms of schizophrenia and social relationships (r=.831, p<.01); and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and living conditions (r=.850, p<.01). Conclusion: Quality of life is a broad concept that includes a person's subjective opinion regarding their physical and psychological health, social relationships and the environment. This study emphasizes that positive symptoms of schizophrenia negatively affects the dimensions of quality of life in all the above-mentioned areas.
There are many land use changes happening in Uganda whose impacts have not yet been well investigated. This study determined the land use changes that occurred in Namutumba districts between 1988 and 2018. Landsat images of resolution of 30 m were downloaded from landsat.org for a period of 30 years; 1988, 1998, 2008 and 2018. Image classification was done using Maximum Likelihood Classification and percentage change in areas under different land uses were determined for years; 1988-1998, 1998-2008 and 2008-2018. Representative soil samples and water samples were collected from cultivated wetlands and those that were not cultivated in the different water systems of Naiyede, Mpologoma, Naigomba and Namakoko in Namutumba district. The soil samples were analyzed for pH, organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), boron (B), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)in the soil. The water samples were analyzed for colour, total hardness (TH), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solid (TSS), turbidity, nitrates (NO3-), total solids (TS), pH, alkalinity, conductivity (Co), Pb, Mg, Na, Ca, chromium (Cr), Fe, phosphates (PO 4 3- ), chloride (Cl), Cd and sulphates (SO 4 2- ). Results of land use change indicated a reduction in areas under open water, wetlands, woodland and bush lands and increase in built up areas and wetlands. Cultivation of wetlands significantly (p<0.05) affected quantitative soil properties; pH, OM, N, P, Na, Cu and Cd while K, Ca, Mg, Zn, B, Fe, Mn and Pb were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by cultivation. Cultivation of wetlands significantly increased water quality parameters; TDS, TSS, conductivity, Na, Ca, Cl, SO 4 2- , PO 4 3- and TH. On the other hand, water quality parameters; pH, Co, alkalinity, Mg, Cr, Fe, Cd and NO3- were not affected by cultivation. It can be concluded that most of the fragile ecosystems in Namutumba District is being converted into built up areas and farmlands and it is negatively affecting some of the soil and water quality parameters. These results are crucial in informing policy makers in designing by-laws and policies for protecting fragile ecosystems such as wetlands from degradation. Keywords: Namutumba District, Soil properties, Ugand a, Water quality, Wetland conversion, DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/15-1-07 Publication date: April 30 th 2024
The molecular structure of monomeric and dimeric gold trifluoride, AuF 3 , Au 2 F 6 has been determined by recent quantum chemical calculations and electron diffraction experiments. It has been indicated that the ground state structure of monomeric gold trifluoride has C 2v symmetry rather than 3-fold symmetry with one shorter and two longer Au-F bonds and T-shaped form due to a first order Jahn-Teller effect. In this work we have calculated the equilibrium structures of the AuF 3 and Au 2 F 6 using the Interionic Force model. The results for the equilibrium bond lengths and bond angles are compared with the geometrical and equilibrium structure measured values from electron diffraction and with the results of quantum chemical calculations. The agreement can be considered as very reasonable. The interatomic pair interactions are described with the parameters determined by the presented model. The pair distribution functions have been calculated by HNC approximation and compared with experimental data at available thermodynamic states. Keywords: Gold trifluoride, Molecular structure, Interionic force model DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-13-03 Publication date: December 31 st 2023
Tacca involucrata (L.) Kuntze is a species of flowering plant. It is commonly known as Polynesian arrow-root (English). In Nigeria, the plant is more widely spread in the middle , south west and in the south eastern states. The need to develop non tree forest products that have food and industrial use potentials has become imperative in parts of Africa. This is due to the fact that millions of people in many developing countries do not have enough food to meet their daily requirements. This has led to assiduous research on the development of some non-timber forest plant species to ascertain their food and industrial potentials. The phytochemical analysis of tacca, reported the presence of reducing sugars, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides and hydrogen cyanide at 195.65 ± 0.5, 3.44 ± 0.2, 1.29 ± 0.5, 0.83 ± 0.4, 1.36 ± 1.0 and 0.00985 ± 0.3 (mg/100g), respectively. The study on proximate analysis of the marc showed it to contain moisture, ash, fats, fibre, crude protein and carbohydrate in the range of 10.83% ± 0.3%, 1.93% ± 0.6%, 1.06% ± 0.5%, 4.42% ± 0.4%, 6.12% ± 0.6% and 86.07% ± 0.3%, respectively. The proximate analysis also showed it to be a good candidate for nutrition with 76% carbohydrate, 6% protein, 4% fibre, 2% ash and about 1% fats. Various studies on tacca have shown it to contain about 30% starch. Most of the studies indicated that the starch had low lipid content (0.09%). They also reported amylose content of 36% and gelatinization temperature of 52–65 °C for the starch. The biscuit produced from wheat–tacca flour composite at varying compositions of tacca flour ranging from 5 to 20% incorporations levels (TEB5%, TEB10%, TEB15 and TEB20%) showed that all the samples substituted with modified tacca flour had better haematological properties, in vitro antioxidative properties and lipid peroxidative properties compared to the 100% wheat biscuit. Specifically, the sample TEB20% (20% tacca flour incorporation) had the best nutritional qualities. Toxicological studies showed that samples with tacca flour incorporation are better than 100% wheat flour biscuit and basal diet. This indicated that tacca flour could successfully supplement wheat flour in the production of nutritionally rich and toxicologically safe biscuit with over 70% overall sensory acceptability. Likewise, the incorporation of tacca flour in spaghetti production may reduce the risks of obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In addition being gluten free, tacca may replace wheat in certain food applications to reduce the incidence of celiac disease (CD) or other allergic reactions to gluten. These developments indicated that tacca can assist in alleviating hunger and the cost of importation of various raw materials, most especially, starch in Nigeria. Keywords: Tacca involucrata, starch, gelatinisation, swelling power, biscuit and pasta. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-13-02 Publication date: December 31 st 2023
The novel COVID-19 pandemic has spread all over the world. Due to its easy transmission, it is crucial to develop techniques to accurately and efficiently identify the presence of COVID-19 and distinguish it from other forms of flu and pneumonia. Recent research has shown that the chest X-rays of patients suffering from COVID-19 depict specific radiography abnormalities. This study aims to construct a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) capable of performing feature extraction and binary classification of CT scans of COVID-19 patients from a publicly available dataset sourced from the University of California San Diego and Berkeley (UC San Diego & UC Berkeley). This work presents a 3-step technique to fine-tune pre-trained VGG19, Xception, and Inception V3 architectures to improve model performance and reduce training time. It was achieved by progressively re-sizing input images to 224x224x3 pixels and fine-tuning the network at each stage. Among three selected pre-trained models, the VGG 19 outperformed with 0.99, 0.88, 0.85, 0.86, 0.83, 0.85, 0.85 for Train accuracy, validation accuracy, test accuracy, precision, recall, F1 Score, the area under the curve values, respectively. Keywords: SARS-CoV2, Coronavirus, Deep Learning, Transfer Learning, Convolutional Neural Network DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-6-06 Publication date: April 30 th 2023
Background: Sickle cell disease is a prime genetic disorder due to a single nucleotide mutation resulting in haemoglobin gene (HbS) occurring in the regions where malaria is endemic. Though it primarily a disease of erythrocytes, non-erythrocytic cells are equally affected just like in malaria infection. Furthermore, leucocytes and thrombocytes have equally been hypothesized to be the driving force for sickle cell crisis. However, the modulatory trends and magnitude of Plasmodium falciparum infection on platelet and leucocyte parameters in sickle cell disease is not entirely explored. Objectives: The current study therefore determined the modulatory effects of P. falciparum infection on platelet and leucocyte parameters in carriage of different haemoglobin beta subunit ( HBB ) genotypes. Methodology: This cross-sectional study evaluated leucocytes and thrombocytes parameters in P. falciparum -infected and non-infected children (n=217, aged 1-192 months) with different HBB genotypes. Children with acute febrile conditions were randomly selected and enrolled at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital for a period of ten months at outpatient clinic. Haematological parameters were determined using Beckman Coulter counter ACTdiff2 TM while HBB genotyping was done using TaqMan ® SNP genotyping assay. Chi-square (χ 2 ) analysis was used to determine differences between proportions. Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test were used for comparisons of demographic and laboratory characteristics wherever applicable. Partial correlation test was used to determine relationship between leucocytes and thrombocyte parameters in carriage of different HBB genotypes while adjusting for age and sex as covariates. Results: Generally, there were no differences in WBC (p=0.746), lymphocytes (p=0.103), monocyte (p=0.084) and granulocytes (p=0.354) between the infected and non-infected children. Platelet count [median (IQR); 236 (129.5), p = 0.001] and PCT, [median (IQR); 0.13 (0.1), p = 0.001] were markedly reduced in infected children. Specifically, monocytes had a positive correlation with platelet count ( r = 0.742, p=0.002) in non-infected children with HbSS genotype. WBC revealed a positive correlation with platelet count in both infected and non-infected children ( r =0.358, r 2 =0.128, p =0.047 and r = -0.638, r 2 =0.407, p= 0.047) in carriage of HbSS respectively WBC and RDW in children infected with falciparum in carriage of HbSS genotypes ( r =0.818, r 2 =0.669, p =0.004). Monocyte count revealed a positive correlation with platelet count in non-infected children and no correlation in children infected with malaria ( r = -0.742, P =0.022 and r = -0.245, P =0.525, respectively). Conclusion: P. falciparum infection is responsible for a decrease the platelet count as WBC count increases in children with HbSS. Therefore, a decrease in platelet count against leukocytosis in carriage of HbSS should warrant a test for P. falciparum infection. Keywords: Correlation, Haemoglobin, Haemoglobin beta sub-unit, genotype, Leucocyte, Thrombocyte. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-10-05 Publication date: August 31 st 2023
Dialium guineense or African black velvet tamarind, is a common tree in West Africa whose parts have been established for its antimicrobial and therapeutic properties. In this study, the stem bark of the plant was accessed for endophytic bacteria and their activity against common clinical isolates were evaluated. Isolation of bacteria endophytes from the stem bark of the plant was achieved by surface sterilization using 70% ethanol and 2% sodium hypochlorite before aseptically cutting into small sizes of about 3.5 - 4.0 mm, plated on nutrient agar and then incubated for 24 hours. Pure isolates of the endophytes were obtained and identified macroscopically and molecularly by depositing 16SrRNA sequences of all the isolates on NCBI website. The endophytic bacteria isolates belong to the genera Pseudomonas, Halopseudomonas, Burkholderia, Streptococcus and Bacillus. Antibacterial activity carried out with the crude extracts of all endophytic bacteria isolates revealed that the bacteria endophyte mSB2 of the genera Halospeudomonas, had the most clearer zones and diameter of inhibition against all test isolates with zones ranging from 9.0 ± 0.35 mm to 35 ± 0.5 mm; hence, the extract from mSB2 was most active and posed effective antibacterial activities. This study established a fact that Dialium guineesnse harbors bacteria endophytes with active metabolites against common disease-causing organisms. Keywords: Dialium guineense, Endophytic bacteria, Stem bark, Antibacterial activities, Metabolites. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-12-04 Publication date: September 30 th 2023
Weissella species are a group of lactic acid bacteria gaining rapid popularity as a result of discoveries centered on their biotechnological properties. In this study, an in silico approach was imbibed to investigate the antimicrobial potentials of metabolites of Weissella ciberia . Soluble compounds of W. ciberia were subjected to High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) analysis and the inherent metabolites were identified. In order to evaluate their antimicrobial potentials against Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri , the identified metabolites of W. ciberia were further subjected to geometry optimization of compound structures, ligand/receptor preparation, docking calculations and docking simulations. The HPLC identified metabolites from W. ciberia were atropoine, gallic acid, naringinin, caffeine, maleic acid, saponin and glutathione. The results of the in silico analysis showed binding affinities of the metabolites against the target microorganisms at a range of ˗4.6 to 10.7 Kcal/mol. Among metabolites, the highest binding affinity was observed in saponin against E. coli and S. flexneri at scores of ˗9.7 Kcal/mol and ˗10 Kcal/mol respectively. Binding affinities against E. coli and S. flexneri were also observed in naringinin at binding scores of ˗7.8 Kcal/mol and ˗8.5 Kcal/mol respectively. The scores obtained in this study predicts strong antimicrobial potentials that were comparable to those of conventional antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and meropenem. Hence, the antimicrobial activities of metabolites of W. ciberia could be harnessed further for their potential in drug sensitivity against multiple-drug resistant pathogenic microbes. KEYWORDS : Bioactive, metabolites, fermentate, in silico and binding affinity. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-12-06 Publication date: October 30 th 2023
Soybean is a legume crop grown in the tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates which are used for food and animal feed. However, the production and productivity of soybean is low and improvement in production and productivity depends on the extent to which a household has applied the recommended production technologies. The review was aimed to identify the determinants of adoption and intensity of improved soybean varieties to generate information that helps to understand and evaluate the key challenges in Ethiopia. The review showed that sex of household, age of household head, education, farm experience, participation in training, and extension service affect the adoption of improved soya bean varieties positively and significantly while the distance to the nearest market affects adoption of improved soya bean varieties negatively and significantly. On the other hand, the intensity of adoption was affected by age, soya bean farm experience, participation in training, and size of livestock holding. Most of the studies reviewed in this paper indicated that sex has a significant positive impact on the adoption of improved soya bean varieties. However, the participation of female households in the adoption process indicated that 15% of female-headed households and dominated by 85% of male household heads. Therefore, to improve the adoption of modern agricultural technologies like improved soya beans the following recommendations are forwarded. Female-headed households should get emphasis in all activities of the promotion of new technologies. On the other hand, evidences showed that the huge oil factories in Ethiopia like W. A and BK are using soya bean as a major input to their production. Consequently, those industries demanding a higher amount of soya bean as an input and they are creating a backward linkage to smallholder soya bean producer farmers. For instance, W.A's edible oil factory alone needs 20,000 hectares of land to run the business and 500,000 quintals of soya bean requires per year. Therefore, it can improve smallholder farmers' livelihood by creating market opportunities to supply their products directly to factories. Thus, the promotion of new soya bean varieties, strong linkage between farmers and factories and comprehensive studies on the adoption and impact of soya bean should get attention from the regional and federal government of Ethiopia. Keywords: Adoption; Determinate, improved soya bean; Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-6-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2023
Background: As the main arterial supply of the upper limb, brachial artery (BA) terminates by dividing into ulnar and radial artery about 1cm at the neck of radius as documented in standard anatomy text books. However, due to variations in results from different studies, BA may terminate at the level of neck of radius, radial tuberosity, mid arm and proximal arm. Based on its clinical utility such as blood pressure monitoring and surgical procedures, few reported disparities in certain populations and paucity data especially in black African population, exploration of variations in termination of BA is warranted. Objective :The purpose of this study was to evaluate variation in termination of brachial artery among black African population. Methodology: This was a cross sectional descriptive study carried out in human anatomy laboratories in Maseno, Uzima and Masinde muliro universities in Western Kenya. In this study, 77 cadavers constituting (n=154) upper limb specimens of back African population were sampled using stratified sampling technique. Data on termination of BA, laterality of the upper limb and sex of the cadaver were recorded in data entry form. Brachium region was exposed to access the brachial artery where its course to termination was assessed. Descriptive statistics was used to assess frequency distribution of variant termination while Chi-square was used to determine difference in proportion of normal termination and cumulative variation of termination of BA with regards to laterality of the upper limb. Results: Out of 154 upper limbs studied, the majority (89.0%) had a normal termination at the radial neck, while 7.8% terminated at the radial tuberosity. A small percentage of the upper limbs (1.3% and 1.9%) had termination at midarm and proximal arm, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in variation in the left and right limbs (p=0.333 and p= 0.564) respectively relative to the normal termination. Conclusion and recommendations: There are variations in termination of brachial artery among the black African population, however, the variation from the normal morphology is not statistically significant, though clinically significant. Termination at radial tuberosity is the most common variant and more common in men than women. Understanding variant termination of BA among black African population is key to all health care professionals especially surgeons, radiologists, anatomists and medical students as such variants may lead to misdiagnosis and post operative related complications. Thus, further population and race specific studies need to be undertaken on such variants. Keywords: Brachial artey, Ulnar artery, Radial artery, Radial tuberosity, Radial neck, Midarm. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-12-03 Publication date: September 30 th 2023
Globally, 833 million ha of soils are salt-affected. Approximately 20% of the world’s cultivated lands and 33% of irrigated lands are salt affected. Soil salinization is spreading at the rate of 1–2 million ha year- 1 globally affecting a significant portion of crop production and making land unsuitable for cultivation. Salinity problems occur under all climatic conditions and can result from both natural and human-induced actions. Generally speaking, saline soils occur in arid and semi-arid regions where rainfall is insufficient to meet the water requirements of the crops, and leach mineral salts out of the root-zone. Salt-affected soils are characterized by the presence of sodium, calcium, magnesium, chlorides, sulfates, carbonates, and bicarbonates at elevated concentrations. However, based on sodium ion and salt concentration, salt-affected soils are categorized into saline, sodic, and saline–sodic soil. Soil salinity is a major problem which can reduce soil microbial community, enzymatic activity, respiration rate of soil, and the bacteria growth of the soils. Salinity negatively influences almost all plant processes including plant growth and plant structure, through biochemical and physical disturbances, ionic imbalance and toxicity, nutrient deficiencies, and osmotic and oxidative stresses. One of the primary effects of salt-affected soil on grain yield is reduced water availability. High salt concentrations in the soil create an osmotic imbalance, making it difficult for plants to absorb water. Soil amendments that have been studied for the reclamation of salt-affected and acid sulfate soils can be divided into two main categories, namely, inorganic and organic amendments. Gypsum, iron sulfate chloride, and sulfuric acid are the widely applied inorganic soil amendment agents having proven reclamation potential for salt-affected soils. Whereas, organic amendments like organic matter, biochar, compost, vermicompost and bio-fertilizers application is anther options for reclamation of salt affected soils. Keywords: Amendments, gypsum, salt affected, sodium, soil DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-10-02 Publication date: July 31 st 2023
Osteoporosis is one of the major disease conditions associated with estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women. This study evaluated the osteoprotective effect of phytoestrogen rich fraction (PERF) of O. schweinfurthiana back extract on ovariectomized animal model of menopause. The methanol plant extract was partitioned into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water fraction using liquid-liquid fractionation. The phytoestrogens in the fractions were quantified using genistein as standard. Ovariectomy induced osteoporosis was achieved by surgical removal of the ovaries. Body weight changes, relative uterine weight, serum estradiol, bone turnover markers (Alkaline phosphatase - ALP and Acid Phosphatase – ACP), bone mineral content and density as well as lipid peroxidation assays were used to establish ability of ovariectomy to induce osteoporosis and dose response effect of the PERF. Water fraction showed the highest content of phytoestrogen which was more than 10 fold higher than the content of other fractions. Ovariectomy induced weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) lowered by PERF compared to vehicle control. Significant (P<0.05) increase in serum estradiol following treatment with PERF produced corresponding uterotrophic effect with median effective dose (ED50) of 197 mg/kg. osteoprotective effect of PERF was evident from the significant (P<0.05) increases in both bone mineral content and density which corresponded with reduction in bone turnover markers. Ovariectomy induced oxidative stress was reduced by PERF with ED50 of 716 mg/kg. O. schweinfurthiana exhibited osteoprotective effect that may have been mediated by downstream signaling effects through estrogen receptor. Keywords: Osteoporosis; Menopause; Phytoestrogen; bone turnover DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-10-04 Publication date: July 31 st 2023
Insecticides have been linked to serious toxicological and environmental issues. The purpose of this study is to assess the insecticidal efficacy of dough produced from the roots of caper spurge or paper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) and to classify chemicals based on their toxicity levels. Keywords: Cetonia aurata, Euphorbia lathyrism, antifeedant, insecticidal DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-6-02 Publication date: April 30 th 2023
The effect of the aqueous, ethanol and hexane extracts of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Ca) leaf was examined heamatologically and histologically on Streptozotocin - induced diabetic rats . 50 Wistar rats were purchased but only 40 rats were given a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (60mg/kg body weight). 25% of STZ dosed animals died while the survivals were distributed into groups II-V. Group II was untreated while groups III, IV and V were treated to hexane, ethanol and aqueous extract of Ca respectively. Rats that constituted the Control group were selected from the STZ untreated animals but were allowed liberty to rat chows and normal saline. Heamatological parameters evaluated revealed significant (P<0.05) increase in the Hb, PCV, and Total Red Blood Count (TRBC) levels when compared with the diabetic group. Furthermore, the Total White Blood Count (TWBC), platelets, neutrophils and lymphocytes were near normal for the Ca extract treated groups as the control. The liver architecture of the STZ-induced diabetic group from this present result displayed distortion of the lobular pattern of the hepatocytes, with several foci of edema and congestion. These were followed by marked periportal hepatolysis and cast within parenchyma. Furthermore, between the hepatocytes were dilation of sinusoids with increased leucocytic infiltration and fibrosis. The nuclei of most cells revealed clear signs of necrosis and the hepatocytes were swollen with conspicuous cytoplasmic vacuolations. Upon treatment with aqueous, hexan and ethanol extracts of C. aconitifolius, sections of the hepatocytes exhibited moderate congestion and improved hepatic features with the aqueous extract exhibiting more potency than the hexane and ethanol extracts. The anti-oxidative tendency of each solvent extract depicts reduced MDA and increased GSH contrary to the diabetic-induced group alone. Hence from this study, the anti-diabetic rationale of C. aconitifolius was further buttressed revealing aqueous solvent extract of C. aconitifolius as a more potent anti-diabetic agent. Keywords: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Ca) , heamatology, liver histopathology, streptozotocin DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-4-05 Publication date: March 28 th 2023
Climate change effect and adaptation measure on the livelihood deeds of artisanal Fishermen was carried out within the coastal areas of Southwest Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 263 fishermen from Lagos, Ogun and Ondo States. Information obtained was with the use of structured interviewed schedule and subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance. Findings shows that majority (65.4%) of the Fishermen were between 45-64 years of age, 77.9% married, 67.7% had above 11 years of fishing experience across the Coastal area of Southwest, Nigeria. Also, 22.4% of Fishermen in the coastal area have access to extension services while 22.4% of them only had access to extension services. Major livelihood activities were fishing gathering (95.1%), fish processing (91.6%) and fish marketing (81.7%) in the selected area. the main effect of climate change on the fishermen activities were flooding (x̄= 2.43), while increased waves were (x̄ = 2.24), ocean surge (x̄ =2.23), rainfall intensity (x̄ = 2.07) and high temperature (x̄ = 2.06) respectively across the selected states respectively. Majority of the artisanal Fisherfolk utilized different adaptation measures/practices towards climate change. There were significant relationship (p < 0.05) between the respondent sex (c 2 = 19.342, df = 1), educational level (c 2 = 11.242, df = 4), ethnicity (c 2 = 10.523) and climate change effect on livelihood deeds of artisanal Fishermen across selected states. Correlation result also reveals significant relationship (p < 0.05) between age (r = 0.872), household size (r = 0.653), years of fishing experience (r = 0.815) and the climate change effect on livelihood activities of artisanal Fishermen across selected States, Results also showed that there is significant difference in the effect of climate change on livelihood of artisanal Fishermen (F = 16.325; P = 0.001) across the selected states. The study realized that Artisanal Fishermen sampled experienced high effect of climate change in term of flooding, increased waves, ocean surges, rainfall intensity and high temperature across the selected States sampled. The study recommended that Artisanal Fishermen should be participating in policy and strategy formulation in mitigate climate change impacts on their fishing and livelihood activities so as to reduce the vulnerability of the effects caused by climate change in the coastal areas. Keywords: Artisanal, Climate change, Coastal communities, Fishermen, Livelihood activities, Southwest. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-12-07 Publication date: September 30 th 2023
An integrated reflection seismic and well log data interpretations of reservoirs in the ‘M’ Field located in onshore Niger Delta were carried out to map the complex subsurface structures and characterize the reservoirs in order to predict the hydrocarbon potential of the field. The methodology includes delineation and assessment of rock properties of reservoirs from logs of five wells, faults and horizons mapping from 3D seismic data, time to depth conversion, generation of time and depth structural maps of identified reservoirs. Structural interpretation shows presence of five main faults (F1-F5) while petrophysical evaluation delineated two hydrocarbon bearing zones (reservoirs 1 and 2). The quality of the delineated reservoirs in the ''M-field'' Niger Delta is good as revealed by the various petrophysical parameters estimated. The reservoirs are also considerably thick to host hydrocarbon in commercial quantities. The exploratory wells are producible as shown by the values estimated for water saturation and hydrocarbon saturation. The time and depth structure maps shows that the identified faults are fault dependent and fault-assisted closures and are thus regarded as good hydrocarbon traps Keywords: Niger Delta, reservoir, hydrocarbon trap, structural map DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-12-05 Publication date: September 30 th 2023
Climbing perch called Papuyu fish in South Kalimantan Indonesia caught in swamp waters, is a fish that is very popular with the community and has high economic value. Fish reproductive performance is very important to obtain information on the natural conditions of the reproductive status of climbing perch fish in the form of gonadal maturity level, and fecundity. This research aims to analyze the reproductive performance of climbing perch fish based on the level of gonadal maturity, gonadal maturity index and fecundity of climbing perch fish ( Anabas testudineus Bloch). The method used in this study was descriptive quantitative. Starting from the preparation of tools and materials, the measurement of fish reproductive parameters including gonadal maturity level, gonadosomatic index and reproductive fecundity were observed morphologically and analyzed descriptively. The results of the study, reproductive performance, the maturity levels of the gonads ranged from TKG II, TKG III and TKG IV. The gonadosomatic index ranged from 0.995-11.147%. are within the range of IKG values of climbing perch fish. Fecundity in sample A ranged from 10,098-39,303 eggs with an average of 24,816 eggs and a gonad weight of 2.97g. Sample B ranged from 14,800-62,381 eggs with an average of 34,767 eggs with a gonad weight of 4.47g. Keywords: Reproduction, Climbing perch, gonads, fecundity. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-4-03 Publication date: February 28 th 2023
This research is undertaken to study the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from theki dahi of Pokhara valley. A total of 48 samples were collected, pooled together, and examined. From characterization, three types of Lactobacilli (Lb A, LbB, and LbC), two types of Leuconostoc (Leu A and LeuB), two types of Bifidobacterium (Bif A and Bif B), one Streptococcus and three types of Lactococci (Lc A, LcB, and LcC) were identified. Also, the probiotic strain of Lactobacillus casei sub sp. Shirota was isolated from the yakult sample. All were then subjected to further examination.In terms of acid resistance, all were found to be resistant to low pH 2 and 4 for 2 h. Similarly, all were resistant to bile salt (0.3% and 0.4% w/v) and able to hydrolyze it. With regards to antibiotic resistance, all were sensitive to penicillin G, ampicillin, and amoxicillin but only Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. Also, the isolates adhered to hexane. This study implies that theki dahi comprises various LAB with probiotic properties. Majorly, Lb A and Bif A demonstrated similar probiotic properties to control organism. Thus, they can be considered as potential probiotic candidates in theki dahi. Keywords: Theki dahi , probiotic potentiality, LAB, isolation, identification, characterization DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-4-04 Publication date: February 28 th 2023
