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The Effect of Leucena Leucocephala (Lead Plant) on the Growth Performance of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
Okeke John Joseph,
Ijuh Innocent,
Nwankwo Ogonna Daniel,
Arazu Vivian Nneka
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
111-114
Received:
10 June 2014
Accepted:
17 June 2014
Published:
30 June 2014
Abstract: The efficacy of utilization of dried Leucena leucocephala leaves as a replacement of fish meal ingredient in the diet of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus of mean weight 19.00 + 2.00g and mean length of 14.00 + 0.50cm was evaluated for a period of 60days. The experimental diets contained Leucena leucocephala leaf meal (LLM) at levels of 0% (diet 1), 20% (Diet2), 40% (Diet3) and 60% (Diet4) of the total dietary protein respectively. A total of 80 fingerlings were introduced into 8 aquaria of volume 40litres, each randomly assigned to the four diets (0%, 20%, 40% and 60% LLM inclusion). Each LLM inclusion and the control had 2 replicates with 10 fingerlings in each aquarium. The following growth indices were monitored; Mean Weight Gain (WG) Percentage Weight Gain (PWG) Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and Mortality Rate (MOR). The overall result of the different growth parameters were significantly different (P<0.05). Fish fed with 20% LLM inclusion (Diet2) meal had the best growth performance of 42.85% and a specific growth rate of 0.25 than others. Thus the inclusion of 20% Leucenea leucocephala leaf meal in the diet of cat-fish would improve their growth and reduce the cost of production by fish farmers and if well utilized will cut down importation of fish meal in the country.
Abstract: The efficacy of utilization of dried Leucena leucocephala leaves as a replacement of fish meal ingredient in the diet of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus of mean weight 19.00 + 2.00g and mean length of 14.00 + 0.50cm was evaluated for a period of 60days. The experimental diets contained Leucena leucocephala leaf meal (LLM) at levels of 0% (diet 1...
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Hypoglycaemic Potentials of Frog oil in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
Osheke Shekins Okere,
Moses Dele Adams,
Uju Dorathy Ejike,
Eunice Ogunwole,
Ejike Daniel Eze
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
115-121
Received:
4 June 2014
Accepted:
20 June 2014
Published:
30 June 2014
Abstract: The hypoglycaemic potentials of frog oil in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were investigated. Thirty six male albino rats weighing 120.47±2.52 g was completely randomized into six groups (A-F) comprising 6 animals each. Animals in group A (control) were administered 1 ml of distilled water while those in groups B, C, D, E and F were induced with diabetes mellitus by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (180mg/kg body weight) and in addition were respectively administered distilled water, metformin (a reference antidiabetic drug), 3, 6 and 9 mg/kg body weight of frog oil once daily. Treatment with the oil lasted for 14 days during which blood glucose level and selected biochemical parameters were determined. The results showed that there was significant (p<0.05) reduction in glucose levels in the group treated with 9.0 mg/kg body weight of the oil from 221.22±0.15 to 100.15±0.07 mg/dl, indicating the best antidiabetic activity of all the treatment groups. The oil also caused significant (p<0.05) decrease in serum total bilirubin levels from 8.73±0.07 µmol/L to 2.43±0.03 µmol/L; serum total cholesterol levels from 313.48±0.05 mmol/L to 232.40±0.19 mmol/L; liver aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity from 76.93±0.02 U/L to 35.25±0.02 U/L; liver alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity from 85.52±0.05 U/L to 39.71±0.08 U/L respectively. Overall, these findings established the fact that frog oil has hypoglycaemic potentials and thus can be recommended for use in the treatment of diabetes. The results from biochemical parameters indicated that frog oil could also be explored in the control of some of the metabolic dysfunctions normally associated with diabetes.
Abstract: The hypoglycaemic potentials of frog oil in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were investigated. Thirty six male albino rats weighing 120.47±2.52 g was completely randomized into six groups (A-F) comprising 6 animals each. Animals in group A (control) were administered 1 ml of distilled water while those in groups B, C, D, E and F were induced with dia...
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Human Brain Biochemistry
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
122-134
Received:
1 June 2014
Accepted:
22 June 2014
Published:
30 June 2014
Abstract: The human brain that serves as a center of the nervous system is structurally unique. It is extraordinarily complex and highly specialized in its distinct heterogeneous anatomical regions as its function remains a great challenge. The neuron is the functional unit that depends on special anatomical and chemical connections with other units of the system. The essential biochemical connections of the nerve cell have special morphological features: synaptic contact that is mediated by chemical molecules ensures sequential propagation of neurotransmission of electrical pulses through units of the system. The chemical energy expended in maintaining the distribution gradients of cations across cellular membranes, and the chemical neurotransmission causes an alteration in cation distribution. The energy utilization mechanisms that underlie cations re-distribution are not peculiar to the nervous system, but they are of particular importance to neural function because the mechanisms of chemical transmission are peculiar to the nervous system. Human nerve cells have the ability to generate electrical impulses that can travel through the body without a significant loss of impulse strength. Such unique features are based on semi-permeable excitable membranes that alter permeation to small chemical molecules and to cations. The biochemical function of the brain is demonstrated in the efficient production of energy required to accomplish the processes mentioned above, and it is essentially ATP that is stored and produced from glucose oxidation to carbon dioxide and water. The brain has virtually no reserves of chemical energy (glucose 1-2 µmoles/g and ATP 3 µmoles/g) to function for minutes only, considering that this organ is 2% of total adult weight that consumes 20% of the whole body glucose through a constant blood supply. Yet, the various factors that regulate glucose uptake and its utilization in the central nervous system are not well understood. This review is an attempt to update the rapidly expanding information on human brain neurotransmission biochemistry, though the adaptive processes of learning; cognitive performance and memory in the brain have subtle relationships.
Abstract: The human brain that serves as a center of the nervous system is structurally unique. It is extraordinarily complex and highly specialized in its distinct heterogeneous anatomical regions as its function remains a great challenge. The neuron is the functional unit that depends on special anatomical and chemical connections with other units of the s...
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Analysis of Vegetation Structure Causing Top-Dying In Mangrove Forest Trees in the Sundarbans in Bangladesh
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
135-146
Received:
20 June 2014
Accepted:
4 July 2014
Published:
20 July 2014
Abstract: Sundarbans is the largest, biologically richest, and most extensive mangrove forest in the world (Christensen, 1984; Seidensticker and Hai, 1983; Hussain and Karim, 1994). Heritiera fomes (Sundri) is the predominant tree species, supporting about 65% of the total merchantable timber (Chaffey et al., 1985, and Siddiqi, 2001). A unknown and serious-killer disease (top dying) of H. fomes in Sundarbans is affecting millions of the trees. An inventory by Chaffey et al., (1985) revealed that there were about 45.2 million top dying trees in the Sundarbans of which 20 million had more than 50% of their crown affected by top dying. The loss of H. fomes will have a major impact on the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem, which leads to economic losses. The vegetation structure was assessed in terms of tree height, bole diameter, species present, and regeneration status; and the intensity of top-dying within the plots was recorded on a rank scale. Most of the elements studied had no significant correlation with the top dying of Heritiera fomes. Of the hypotheses previously put forward to explain top-dying, the present results do not support enhanced salinity as the cause. It is likely that several of the above-mentioned environmental factors interact with each other to induce top dying in Sundri. However, the present results have showed that Sn, Exchangeable K, soil pH, Pb , Zn and Ni could be directly linked with top-dying of Heritiera fomes (Sundri) in Sundarbans, probably particularly by weakening the vigour of the trees and allowing other factors such as pathological agents to attack the plants.
Abstract: Sundarbans is the largest, biologically richest, and most extensive mangrove forest in the world (Christensen, 1984; Seidensticker and Hai, 1983; Hussain and Karim, 1994). Heritiera fomes (Sundri) is the predominant tree species, supporting about 65% of the total merchantable timber (Chaffey et al., 1985, and Siddiqi, 2001). A unknown and serious-k...
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Prevalence of Pica among Children Attending Pediatrics Clinic at El-Menoufiya University Hospital
Fathia Mohamed El nemer,
Doaa Mahmoud Alian,
Mona Salah Eldin,
Housam Eldin Moustafa Khalil
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
147-152
Received:
24 June 2014
Accepted:
5 July 2014
Published:
20 July 2014
Abstract: Objectives: to highlight the epidemiology of pica among children attending paediatrics outpatient clinic of Menoufiya university hospital. Background: Pica is a persistent eating of non-nutritive substance, which is inappropriate to the developmental level. Numerous etiologies have been proposed to explain pica. Different forms of pica are associated with a high rate of complications and substantial morbidity and mortality. Methods: The prospective study was undertaken at a pediatric outpatient clinic of Menoufiya university hospital. The mothers were interviewed and data were collected. General physical, systemic examination and investigations were done. Anemia was defined as haemoglobin thresholds for age (0.5-4.99 years) is11 g/dl and 11.5 g/dl for age (5.00–11.99 years). Iron depletion was defined as serum ferritin levels of <15 ng/ml. And iron deficiency as serum iron level <50 µg/dl. Hypozincaemia was defined as serum zinc level of<0.6 mg/L. Results: From two thousands and four hundreds children visited pediatrics clinic, of them one hundred and seventy four patients of them were suffering from pica (prevalence of pica was 7.2%). Clay was the material used by 43.1% children (major form of pica in this study) followed by Dust (25.9 %) followed by paper and cigarette (both 4 %). The hemoglobin and serum iron levels, serum ferritin and serum zinc were below the reference range. Conclusion: Prevalence of pica is higher in males, four years or less age, rural residents, bottle feeders, poor nourished children, children came from low socioeconomic families, illiterate housewife mothers. Children with pica had low level of zinc, hemoglobin, iron and ferritin, which confirmed that there is a relationship between pica and iron deficiency anemia and / or hypozincaemia. The children who practice pica are prone to worm infestation.
Abstract: Objectives: to highlight the epidemiology of pica among children attending paediatrics outpatient clinic of Menoufiya university hospital. Background: Pica is a persistent eating of non-nutritive substance, which is inappropriate to the developmental level. Numerous etiologies have been proposed to explain pica. Different forms of pica are associat...
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Preliminary Molecular Variability of Some Dove Species Inhabiting Saudi Arabia
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
153-156
Received:
20 June 2014
Accepted:
4 July 2014
Published:
30 July 2014
Abstract: Approximately 800 bp of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene were sequenced for the Eurasian collared-dove Streptopelia decaocto and the African collared-dove Streptopelia roseogrisea. The first species was collected from Taif at the eastern boarder of Sarawat mountains and from Jazan at the southwest, while the second was collected from Taif only. These obtained sequences were used to study the genetic variability between the two species. The base differences between the two species were 19 sites along the sequenced fragment, while there was no intra-specific difference. It is therefore noteworthy to conclude that the Eurasian dove is homogenous along the range of distribution throughout Sarawat mountains and the small variability between the two dove species is indicative to their morphological and genetic similarity.
Abstract: Approximately 800 bp of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene were sequenced for the Eurasian collared-dove Streptopelia decaocto and the African collared-dove Streptopelia roseogrisea. The first species was collected from Taif at the eastern boarder of Sarawat mountains and from Jazan at the southwest, while the second was collected from Taif only. Thes...
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Evidence of Male Mate Choice for Female Age in Drosophila Nasuta
Vijay Kumar B. K.,
M. S. Krishna
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
157-164
Received:
21 May 2014
Accepted:
27 June 2014
Published:
30 July 2014
Abstract: In the present study experimental out bred population of Drosophila nasuta used, has been originated from progenies of 50 isolated female lines collected at Chamundi hill at Mysore, India. It was found that males of D. nasuta discriminated females on the basis of their age and prefers to mate more frequently with younger of the two competing females. Although middle aged females mated faster and copulated longer compared to young and old aged females. Males showed grater courtship activities such as tapping, scissoring, vibration, liking to middle aged female compared to young or old aged females. Middle aged females showed least rejection responses such as ignoring, extruding, and decamping to courting male than young or old aged females. Young aged females laid significantly greater number of eggs and produced more progenies than middle and old aged females. Further young aged females had greater number of ovarioles than those of middle and old aged females. Thus these studies in D. nasuta suggest that female age has significant effect on male mate preference.
Abstract: In the present study experimental out bred population of Drosophila nasuta used, has been originated from progenies of 50 isolated female lines collected at Chamundi hill at Mysore, India. It was found that males of D. nasuta discriminated females on the basis of their age and prefers to mate more frequently with younger of the two competing female...
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Phycoremediation of Pb+2, Cd+2, Cu+2, and Cr+3 by Spirulina platensis (Gomont) Geitler
Tri Retnaningsih Soeprobowati,
Riche Hariyati
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
165-170
Received:
5 July 2014
Accepted:
19 July 2014
Published:
30 July 2014
Abstract: Phycoremediation is an application of algae for remediate environmental pollution by reducing or eliminating toxicity of such components in waste water. One of environmental problem in Indonesia is heavy metals pollution. Heavy metals are required by microalgae in a trace concentration, but in a high concentration heavy metals are toxic. Spirulina platensis is a microalgae belong to Cyanobacteria that has been used as a single cell protein, feed fish, and supplement. Many researchs on S. platensis had been done to optimize the product. Research on the use of S. platensis for remediation environmental pollution were also had been conducted. But, research on the use of local S. platensis to reduce the concentration of Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+ and Cr2+, had not yet well developed. Therefore, this research was conducted in order to find out the effect of 1, 3, and 5 mg/L concentrations of Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+ and Cr2+ on the S. platensis population growth and its accumulation. A laboratory experiment was developed with those different concentrations with 3 replications and control. The initial concentration of heavy metals were measured as well as the 7 and 15 days treatment to determine the bioaccumulation of heavy metals by S.platensis . Based on this research, the concentration of 1 mg/L heavy metals may induced the population growth of S. platensis, due to improvement enzymatic process, the concentration of 3 mg/L heavy metals inhibit population growth, and the concentration of 5 mg/L heavy metals was toxic for S. platensis. Since S. platensis was found high tolerance to Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+ and Cr2+at low concentration, it was recommended that for phycoremediation process using S. platensis more appropriate to be applied for low concentration contaminated water. It was suggested that S. platensis can be used as a metal absorbent and can be cultivated from wastewaters after phycoremediation process for other uses such as fertilizer, with the note that heavy metal contamination in waste water should not exceed 1 mg/L. S. platensis will be better if apply 15 days in contaminated wastewater to get the highest removal heavy metals.
Abstract: Phycoremediation is an application of algae for remediate environmental pollution by reducing or eliminating toxicity of such components in waste water. One of environmental problem in Indonesia is heavy metals pollution. Heavy metals are required by microalgae in a trace concentration, but in a high concentration heavy metals are toxic. Spirulina ...
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