Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology

Effect of Cytokinins on Micropropagation of Teak (Tectona grandis L.) Grown in Cote D'ivoire

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Teak (Tectona grandis L.) is a timber tree highly prized on world markets for its stability and durability. This hardy species has good initial growth and is very important for the reforestation of Côte d'Ivoire. However, teak regeneration potential by seed or cutting still very weak. This situation is a major constraint to planting material production in quantity and quality. The aim of this study is to improve the production of teak seedlings for orchard renewal using in vitro culture methods. Mature teak seeds were surface disinfected and sown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of Benzyl-aminopurine (BAP), Kinetin and Thidiazuron (TDZ). The shoot tip explants and nodal segments were taken from in vitro germination and placed on the same medium used for seeds germination. Leafy shoots obtained after four weeks of culture were excised and transferred individually on different strength of McCown Woody plant medium supplemented with various concentrations of AIB for rhizogenesis. Teak seeds germination started seven days after sowing. BAP and Kinetin exhibited highest percentage of normal seedlings (83.46% and 74.14% respectively). Higher seedlings (7.48 cm) were obtained on medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L kinetin. The shortest bud break time (7.43 days) was observed on medium containing 0.5 mg/L BAP. Leafy shoot production was optimal (5 leafy shoots per explant) with the nodal segment on culture medium containing 2 mg/l BAP. Half strength of McCown Woody plant medium containing 60 g/L sucrose and 4 mg/l AIB induced the highest rooting percentage (73%) and roots number per plant (03) natural environment.

Evaluation of the DNA Fragmentation of the Normozoosperms at the Pasteur Institute of Cote D’ivoire

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Sperm DNA fragmentation appears to be an important indicator of male fertility and an important parameter for evaluating the positive prognosis of a pregnancy. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of DNA fragmentation of normozoosperms received at the Institut Pasteur of Cote d’Ivoire (IPCI).

For this we determined the DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) of spermatozoa as well as its impact in normozoosperms. The spermogram was carried out according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the integrity of the sperm DNA was verified by the acridine orange test.

Of the 18 normozoosperms samples selected, an average of 20.28 ± 11.22% for the DNA fragmentation index was obtained. About 27.78% of the samples presented a high level of DFI which reflects a poor pregnancy prognosis. Thus, 27.78% of normozoosperms men have abnormal DNA which does not allow these individuals to be able to conceive. This study showed that DNA fragmentation is an important factor in sperm quality.

Evaluation of Anxiety and Locomotor Behaviour in High Salt-Fed Mice Treated with L-Arginine and Losartan

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Salt consumption above dietary guidelines is detrimental to health, it causes impaired cognitive, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative functions. This study aimed at evaluating anxiety and locomotor behaviour in high salt-fed mice treated with L-arginine and losartan. Forty (40) mice weighing between 27-37g were categorized into four (4) parts of ten (10) members. Group I (Control) was served ordinary mice chow and water, group II was given 8% sodium chloride in chow and 1% NaCl in drinkable water (High Salt Diet), group III was given same diet as group II in addition to L-arginine on the 43^rd day, group IV was given same as group II in addition to Losartan on the 43^rd day. L-arginine and losartan administration lasted for 14 days. The total duration for drug administration and feeding lasted for one month and three weeks. Light-Dark Transition Box (LDTB) and Elevated+ Maze (EPM) were used to assess anxiety and locomotor behaviour. The results showed a significant (p<0.001) decrease in line crossing, transition frequency, and light box duration, with a corresponding significant (p<0.001) increase in stretch attend posture, grooming frequency duration, close arm entry, dark box duration frequency in the high salt fed group compared with the control. Both L-arginine and Losartan significantly (p<0.001) reversed these changes towards normal. Thus, a high salt diet is implicated in increased anxiety, whereas L-arginine, a nitric oxide precursor, and losartan, an ACE blocker reduced anxiety which in turn improves locomotor behaviour in the mice.

Non-Synonymous Mutations Associated with Plasmodium falciparum Artemisinin Resistant Gene (Pfkelch13) in Malaria Cases, Jos Nigeria

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the Plasmodium falciparum Artemisinin Resistant Gene (Pfkelch13) in malaria cases in Jos and profile the nature of the mutations. The Plasmodium falciparum kelch13 gene is a potential molecular marker for tracking artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites.

Study Design: The Study Design was Experimental

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted within Jos, Nigeria between October 2019 and January 2021.

Methodology: Thirty-six clinically screened 2 plus (++) and above positive malarial whole blood samples were collected from a Hospital in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria in EDTA bottles after being granted ethical approval. The DNA extraction was done using Zymo Research extraction kits according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Detection of the Plasmodium genus, Plasmodium falciparum and Pfkelch13 gene in the samples was done using PCR technique and gel electrophoresis. PCR amplicons were sequenced and bioinformatics software was used to analyze the sequences for mutations.

Results: Only 41.67% of the samples collected were confirmed positive for the Plasmodium genus. Out of these, 93.33% were positive for Plasmodium falciparum. The PfKelch13 (Pfk13) gene was detected in 78.57% of the Plasmodium falciparum. Non-synonymous mutations (S695C, C696M, C696H, H697S, H697V, F698I, 699L and 699S were observed at the amino acids level, but didn’t affect the structural conformation of the proteins.

Conclusion: The classical method of detecting malaria is not reliable compared to the PCR technique. Non-synonymous mutations on the PfKelch13 gene have the potential to cause resistance to artemisinin drugs in the Jos human population.