Archives-March 2019

The FTIR spectrum shows that the carbonyl group of L-Leucine, L-Glutamic acid and L-Tyrosine interact with 2-aminopydine through N—H?O hydrogen bonding. 2-aminopyridine protonated and L-amino acids deprotonated during the reaction, resulting in the formation of 2-aminopyridiniumleucinate, bis2-aminopyridinium glutamate and 2-aminopyridiniumtyrosinate co-crystals. The UV-Vis spectrum shows that the molecules are closely packed and undergoes n??^* transition in all these three co-crystal and the cut off wavelength value indicate that bis2-aminopyridinium glutamate and 2-aminopyridiniumtyrosinate co-crystals have Non-linear optical property compared to 2-aminopyridiniumleucinate crystals. The cell parameter calculated from powder XRD pattern.

The effect of maturity stages (premature, mature and over mature) on performance of four cultivars of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle)- (namely : Rahad, Fashir, Kass and Abaid)- were studied by evaluating some of its chemical constituents, organic acids (citric, ascorbic and tartaric), anthocyanin's as (malvidin and pelargonidin), pH and essential amino acids under the semi – arid conditions of Sudan. HPLC and amino acid analyzer were used in this study. It was found that, there was a significant effect of maturity stages on pH, organic acids, essential amino acids and anthocyanin's. Mature stage of four Roselle cultivars gave significantly higher pH. Total percentages of identified organic acids (citric, ascorbic and tartaric acids) were the highest in all cultivars at mature stage, Fashir and Abiad cultivars gave significantly higher organic acid than other one. pre mature stage gave significantly higher amount of the essential amino acids, on the other hand Abiad and Kass cultivarss gave the highest amount of the essential amino acids among all cultivars. Mature and over mature stages in all cultivars gave higher percentage of anthocyanin's as ( malvidin and pelargonidin), within cultivars Rahad cultivar has the highest value of anthocyanin, and Abiad cultivar has lowest amount of these pigments.

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of anthropogenic activities on physiochemical properties of soils in Ezinihitte Mbaise L.G.A. Imo State. 36 soil samples were collected randomly at the depth of 0-5cm, 5-15cm, and 15-30cm. The samples were collected from four different locations, farmland, market area, play ground and forest. The samples were prepared and analyzed for physiochemical properties such as sand, silt, clay pH, conductivity, organic carbon, moisture content, available phosphate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, aluminum, nickel, cadmium, chromium and copper, using standard methods. The result of the analysis revealed that the soil pH was basic, ranging from 6.45-8.98; electrical conductivity ranged from 0.120-0.155µs/cm. The textual class was sandy-clay-loam, implying that the soil contain sand in a higher proportion. Moisture content, organic carbon, organic matter, available phosphate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, aluminum ranged from 6.56-16.70%, 0.32-1.52%, 0.55-2.61%, 5.53-58.52mg/kg, 0.4-6.7mg/kg, 1.0-8.5mg/kg, 424-624mg/kg, 224-392mg/kg, 0.001-2.8mg/kg respectively. Heavy metal concentration in the soil was Ni (0.099-0.416mg/kg), Cd (0.016-0.173mg/kg), Cr (0.004-0.216mg/kg), Cu (0.000-0.013mg/kg). From these results, it was found that there was a marked variation in parameters of various soil samples in different sampling points. These variations were as a result of different anthropogenic activities in the locations. The study recommends that efforts should be made to improve soil quality and its fertility status through continuous application of manure and compost, soil amendments, cropping pattern most especially in farmland.

Intermolecular interactions of chlorpheniramine with 1-methanol have been reported at various concentrations in the frequency range 10 MHz to 10 GHz at 303K,308K and 313K using Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR). Excess inverse relaxation time and dielectric relaxationtime were computed by Higasi’s Method and interoperated in terms of the molecular interaction of the liquid mixture. The relaxation time and dielectric constant were decreased with increase in concentration of chlorpheniramine. Cole-Cole method was used to determine the non-linearity of the interactions with ideal values. Deviations in such parameters at all the temperatures implies that the existence of solute-solvent interaction due to rotation of dipoles present in the selected liquid system. Hence the experimental observations suggested hetero interaction which may be due to hydrogen bonding of the –OH group of alcohol with N-H of the chlorpheniramine. The intermolecular interaction was obtained in the order of 303K >308K >313K.

The cactus plant (Beles) grows profusely in Ethiopia and has adapted perfectly to the arid zones of the country characterized by droughty conditions, erratic rainfall, and poor soils subject to erosion. Cactus can be used for several purposes like sources of food, feed, as wind break, fence for crop and soil conservation for the people of the area. Although it is an important fruit and forage plant, there is no clear cut information about its current status, utilization, income contribution and marketing constraints in Bale Zone, South Eastern Ethiopia. To this end, the objective of this research was to assess the Current status, utilization, income contribution and marketing constraints of Cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) in selected districts of Bale Zone. In this study, three districts, namely, Sinana, Agarfa and Gasera were purposively selected based on their potential in cactus production and utilization. In addition, two kebeles from each district were selected purposefully based on their potential in cactus production. A total of 400 Cactus Grower and Non grower Households were selected to achieve the objectives of the study. Both qualitative and quantitative types of data were collected from sampled households. The quantitative type of data gathered from the respondents was analyzed using SPSS 20 versions whereas the data generated from group discussion and key informant interview were narrated and interpreted in the form of word. The descriptive result of the study indicated that Cactus feeding management includes the practices of cutting, scrubbing and chopping of young cladodes from branches of the stand for their animals and grazing. Regarding Cactus utilization in the study districts, farmers uses cactus pear for consumption (18.4%), live fence for crop field (13.7%), soil conservation (13.2%), and backyard live fence, (10.8%), for food security motive (9.9%), for forage (9.4%) and for wind break (8.5%) in the entire cactus growing areas of the study districts. Despite the fact that the vast majority of the respondents which accounts 61.3. % of the cactus growers reports they get unreasonable price from the sale of cactus due to lack access to potential market and low quality Cactus production, they obtained an average of 1007.9 Ethiopian Birr per annum. The study revealed that the income obtained from Cactus production was benefited 30.7% of farmers to cover their domestic consumables and purchase closes for their children. Also about 15.6% and 11.3% of the respondents were used the income obtained from the sale of cactus to cover costs of sending children to school and purchase improved crop varieties respectively. Regarding marketing constraints, the farmers indicated that Absence of Transportation facilities (20.3%), absence of market place (12.3%), low bargaining power (15.1%), perishability problem (17%), fluctuation of market price (9.4%) and availability of illegal brokers (14.2%) are the major problems they faces while selling their produce to the market. Regarding the income share of cactus grower and non grower Households it was found that the annual average income earned by cactus owner households were 13,910.6 birr whereas 12,371.3 birr for non cactus grower households with maximum earnings of up to Birr 30, 900 for non cactus grower and 35,960 for cactus grower households. Econometric result also reveals that the “average treatment effect on the treated” (ATT) for household income suggested, due to pure effect of cactus, the cactus owners obtain 1433.2049 birr of total income higher than non-owners; among which the mean difference of income between these two group is statistically significant at 5% probability level after matching. Considering the above mentioned fact, local government and other development partners should improve Access to market for cactus fruit so that farmers can get the best benefits from the cultivation of the crop.

Gastric ulceration is a common adverse effect of many medications. Bisphosphonates (BPs) that is used for osteoporosis, is associated with peptic ulcer manifested -in its severe state- in hemorrhage and perforation. Methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) which is used for osteoarthritis was used to prevent BPs ulceration. Our objective was to study the effect of MSM on preventing peptic ulcer induced by Alendronate (ALN) in rats. The experiments had been done on eight white Wister rats for each group. The gastric ulcer has been induced by administration of Alendronate (20mg/kg/day) by gavage for 4 days. MSM (400mg/kg/day) has been given for the protective group for 4 days before administration of Alendronate. The gastric ulcers in rats' stomachs were examined histologically and microscopically. The ulcer index and protective index were measured, and then the statistical analyses were carried out. The results showed that the Administration of MSM before Alendronate inducing ulcer led to a reduction in ulcer index and showed significant difference comparing with morbidity group. The conclusion was that MSM (400 mg/kg/day) has a protective effect of peptic ulcer induced by alendronate.

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium associated with sexually transmitted genital tract infection in humans and cause genital infection in both men and women. It is one among the major causes for complications in pregnancy. In this study prevalence of the C trachomatis genital infection among the pregnant women of reproductive age group has been studied. A total of 300 pregnant women with symptomatic genital infections were included in this study. Blood samples were collected from them and screened for Chlamydia trachomatis specific IgM antibodies by Micro Immuno Fluorescence (MIF). The results showed an overall 16% prevalence of C trachomatis infection among the various age groups of the pregnant women . From this informations, we conclude that the C.trachomatis infection is quite prevalent among the pregnant women belongs to our area - south India. Hence, we suggest the need of implementing the screening programme as mandatory for the detection of Chlamydial genital infection among pregnant women, in view of preventing the adverse effects related to pregnancy outcomes.

It has been already noted and explored by many authors that the association /occurrence of the bacterial vaginosis ( BV) among majority of women at greater risk. Countless publications indicating the risk of bacterial vaginosis and the ascending infection to the female reproductive tract, which may create/affect the morbidity and mortality of fetus in case of pregnant women infected with bacterial vaginosis. In our study we made an attempt to screen the biofilm producing Klebsiella in the vaginal secretions of the pregnant women, sero positive for C.trachomatis IgM antibody, those who had symptomatic genital infection . Biofilm forming klebsiella was identified by both microscopic and klebsiella phenotyps on culture media. We could able to record a significant percentage of the biofilm producing Klebsiella within our study population. It was interesting to note that all these biofilm forming Klebsiella found in the vaginal secretions found as Multidrug Resistant (MDR) bacteria. From this we conclude that the occurrence of biofilm forming, multidrug resistant bacteria among the pregnant women is possible, that too, while it emerge as co-infection along with C.trachomatis infection, that need special attention of the public and health care professionals. It is suggested that the need of screening these culprits during pregnancy to eradicate it in view of preventing ascending infection which may involve with the adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Rapunzel's syndrome is a rare form of gastric trichobezoar extended to the bowel. The diagnosis may be oriented by the findings of the conventional radiography and echography, but the computed tomography remains the gold standard as it confirms the diagnosis and provides crucial informations on it's gravity

In this article the researcher seeks to provoke discussions on the unseen curriculum and its role on students’ learning of professionalism. The article draws educators’ attention to the formation of professional values through the concealed curriculum via examination of issues like how the veiled curriculum functions within education as a countervailing force to educations’ push for professionalism. The article defines expert values as standards for specialized practice, which are based on the agreement of expert groups of people. Professional values like competence, honesty, confidentiality and appropriate language among other virtues, provide a framework for appraising the ideas and viewpoints that influence success at work place. The researcher responds to key concerns about pervasive calls emanating from unprofessional and academic onlookers alike to strengthen the teaching of professional values within the formal curriculum. She employed exploratory mixed methods design. She distributed 498 closed-ended questionnaires to randomly selected respondents at different times and interviewed ten key informants. The results revealed that it is possible to teach information about professional values, ethical reasoning, or improve understanding of professional language and ethical concepts, but course material or the formal curriculum is very limited in decisively influencing students’ personality or ensuring moral conduct. The results also revealed that students learning of professional values takes place not within the formal curriculum but in a more subtle, less officially recognized curriculum. The researcher maintains that any attempt to develop a comprehensive professionalism curriculum must acknowledge the broader cultural milieu (the humanistic climate) within which that curriculum functions. The researcher concludes by proposing thorough exploration of the humanistic climate (the hidden curriculum) in which professionalism is caught rather than taught, which if made positive is likely to allow expertise principles to blossom among young workers