International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 48

Abstract: Relative performance of students by gender in public examinations was assessed using questionnaires and standardized test on one hundred and eighty students from some selected urban centered schools in Benue State. Casual comparative design and correlation design were used and the results showed that socio-economic status of parents affects the performance of their children/wards (students), and there is no significance difference in the level of performance between boys and girls in public examinations. Parent should be enlightened through seminars and workshops on the importance of educating themselves and their children/ward. Governments, non-governmental organization (NGO’S) and individuals should establish more schools for more education of both sexes. These were the suggestions advanced.

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease with the highest rates of prevalence and mortality worldwide. Chloroxylon swietenia has been used extensively in folkloric medicine. The present study aims to determine the acute toxicity of Chloroxylon swietenia bark methanol (CSBMEt) and aqueous extracts (CSBAEt) (100, 150, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight) and dose fixation of CSBMEt and CSBAEt in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in male albino wistar rats by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50mg/kg b.w). The diabetic rats were administered with Chloroxylon swietenia bark extracts (CSBMEt and CSBAEt) (75,125 and 250mg/kg b.w) orally by intragastric intubation for 15 days. Acute toxicity studies revealed the non-toxic nature of the CSBMEt and CSBAEt. No lethality or toxic reactions found at any doses until the end of study, whereas 75 and 125 mg/kg b.w. doses of CSBMEt and CSBAEt produce no significant changes in the diabetic rats and 250mg/kg b.w. of CSBMEt and CSBAEt have significant change in the blood glucose. The results conclude that, there was no toxicity observed up to 1000mg/kg b.w. of both the extracts and 250mg/kg b.w. of CSBMEt and CSBAEt can be used as effective dose to treat diabetes.

Abstract: An efficient protocol for induction of callus and regeneration of a sugar cane var 93v297 has been developed and reported here. Callus induction from immature young leaf explants derived from 2-3-month-old plants was achieved on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with different auxins viz, 2,4-D, NAA and IAA. Among different auxins, 2, 4-D at 3.5mg/l + 0.5mg/l BAP was found favourable in inducing callus. Addition of coconut milk and BAP further enhanced the growth of callus maximum being on MS medium supplemented with 0.5mg/l BAP (3602.33±0.88mg). Calli were further evaluated for regeneration. MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP was found suitable where 100% calli regenerated with maximum number of multiple shoots per callus mass (41.40±0.89). Highest number of root emergence (28.33±1.16) and maximum root length (3.40±0.67cm) was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 3mgl/l NAA. The in vitro grown plants were transferred to polycups containing a mixture of sterilized sand, soil and cocopeet (1:1:1) for hardening. The hardened plants were transferred to green-house conditions where they survived with 90% frequency.

Abstract: In vitro seed germination and embryo culture have been achieved in Nothapodytes foetida, this plant is known for its rich source of anticancer drug i. e., Camptothecin. In present study both normal and decoated seeds were subjected to different treatments viz., H2O, GA₃, H2O2, H2SO4, chlorine water and mechanical scarification, further these were germinated on water agar medium (WA), filter paper bridge (FB), half strength MS (HMS) and full strength MS (FMS) medium. The highest percentage (69%) of germination was achieved from decoated seeds treated with 10mg/L GA₃ and germinated on Filter Paper Bridge. And for embryo culture mature embryos were inoculated on MS medium containing various combination and concentrations of cytokinins (BAP, Kn and TDZ) and auxin (IAA and NAA) for rapid conversion into a plantlet. Among the different combinations of growth regulators; highest frequency (100%) of plantlet conversion was obtained on MS medium containing Kn (1.0mg/L) and NAA (0.2mg/L).

Abstract: Introduction:The procedure of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is sometime physically stressful and emotional turmoil on the couples undergoing treatment. The male partner is obliged to produce semen for injection/insemination with the oocytes. Unfortunately, some men are ill-fated, not capable to reproduce semen on the day of oocyte pickup.Objective: To testify four cases of unexpected ejaculation malfunction on the day of oocyte pickup.Setting: Base Fertility Medical Science Pvt Ltd.Materials and method: The case retrospectively reviewed the case records of four couples over a year period (September 2013–November 2014), who suffered unexpected ejaculation complete failure on the day of oocyte pickup for IVF/ICSI. Data, including age, Stimulation Protocol, cause(s) of infertility, previous treatment history (If Any) and various techniques implemented to retrieve sperms were documented.Results: Altogether, 362 oocyte pickup cycles were conducted during a year period. Four men had ejaculatory failure, providing an incidence factor of 1.10 %. Three cases (75%) had no earlier symptom/history of complexity in producing semen on requirement. Even Recommendation of 50 mg Vardenafil /Sildenafil citrate and the couples watching sexually stimulating videos did not remedy the situation. Surgical sperm retrieval was successful in case 1. It yielded no live sperm sample in case 2. Cases 3 and 4 had repeat IVF cycles. The male partners were not aware that oocyte retrieval would take place the next day and produced semen within a couple of hours.Conclusion: Anxiety and psychogenic stress most likely played a major role in these reported cases.Key: It is hoped that liquid nitrogen for cryopreservation would be the more readily available and easy technique to adopt in such scenarios to be followed for the centres for semen cryopreservation as a necessary prestep towards helping such couples and the upcoming techniques’ not widely in practice in developing countries ,oocyte vitrification*.Index Term: Semen Cryopreservation, Ejaculation Malfunction, IVF, ICSI & Stimulants.

Abstract: This study aims at monitoring physico-chemical features of the waters of the Hârtibaciu River in Romania with a view to establishing its qualitative benchmarks. Using the waters of this river for agricultural purposes leads to the establishment of its physical and chemical features and its falling within the related quality group. This study has monitored general chemical indicators and specific chemical indicators in the waters of the Hârtibaciu River; the resulting values show that it falls within the 2^nd/3^rd quality group.

Abstract: Finger millet is a staple food crop of many communities in Africa. The crop is highly nutritious and has incredible grain storage quality. Limited research investment in finger millet in the past has resulted in poor yields and there are currently no commercial hybrids. We investigated the response of different finger millet genotypes (Okhale-1, Gulu-E, KACCIMMI-72, IE 2872, IE 4115 and U-15) to the application of a plant growth regulator hormone (Ethrel). Six elite Kenyan finger millet varieties with contrasting agronomic traits were crossed in a 6 x 6 diallel pattern. To enhance male sterility across female parents, we subjected the plants to Ethrel at concentrations of 1,500ppm, 1,750ppm and 2,000ppm against a 0ppm check. Dwarfing of sprayed plants that resulted in less lodging and ultimately higher yields were observed among plants sprayed with Ethrel at different concentrations. Ethrel application at 2,000ppm had the most dwarfing effect on plants while spraying plants with 1,500ppm of Ethrel resulted in increased grain weight. Although our results demonstrate overall positive effect of Ethrel on finger millet production, the optimum concentrations for more efficient hybridization will still need to be determined.

Abstract: This work was concerned with study the contamination and concentration of natural and man-made radioactivity ⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁴Bi (²³⁸U series) and ²²⁸Ac (²³²Th series) in 19 different imported foodstuffs canned samples (Mushrooms, Black Olives, Broad Beans, Peaches, Sweet Corn, Tomato Past, Green Peas, Chick Peas, Baby milk 1,2,3 and Full milk powder) , were collected from locally markets in different regions in Baghdad city. Samples were analyzed by high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector gamma spectrometer systems from Canberra, with high resolution (2.0 keV at 1332 keV) and relative efficiency of ~30% for 137Cs (661.7 keV) and provide (Software Genie 2000 from Canberra). From the data obtained, the activity concentrations (Bq/kg or Bq/l) for ⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁴Bi and ²²⁸Ac in above foodstuff samples were measured. It was found that these values lie within the worldwide range for radioactivity in food. The mean value of radium equivalent activity (Raeq) in all samples it was below the threshold value of 370 Bq/kg. The all value of indoor and outdoor annual effective dose equivalent in samples it was lower than the world average values (0.45 mSv/y for indoor and 0.07 mSv/y for outdoor).

Abstract: Energy consumption has increased steadily over the last four decades as the population has grown and more countries have become industrialized. On the other hand waste disposal has become the major concern of developing cities. Many countries such as Ethiopia have abundant raw materials for biofuels, yet these have not been explored. This study was designed to utilize banana peels for the production of bioethanol using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The effects of factors in hydrolysis (the effect of hydrolysis parameters) were investigated and the optimum combination factor was carried out with response surface design. The parameters were varied over 3 levels and 17 experimental runs were conducted to produce fermentable sugar. The optimum results were obtained at 1.50 % v/v acid concentration, 91.02 °C temperature and 21.66 min retention time. At this optimum condition, fermentation with and without benzyl penicillin was performed to determine its effect on bioethanol.

Abstract: Avifauna in two different residential localities of Kolkata viz. Cossipore of North Kolkata and Dhakuria of South Kolkata was done in twelve months period from December, 2013 – November, 2014 to get some idea about the present avian diversity of the city. Total forty eight species of birds belonging to twenty five families were identified from the two sites and recorded along with their abundance in this study. Fluctuations in abundance of bird fauna between the study areas were also recorded which may be attributed to the loss of proper habitat for foraging and nesting due to continuous urbanization and increased pollution rates.