This study demonstrates the use of 3D Ni3N/carbon cloth nanosheets as electrode materials for lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors.

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BackgroundSynsepalum dulcificum is a plant indigenous to West Africa. The fruit is used to modify taste of foods to sweetness.ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the antidiabetic potentials of both methanolic and flavonoid-rich leaf extracts of S. dulcificum (MSD and FSD respectively) in type 2 diabetic Wistar albino rats.Materials and methodsSixty three rats were randomly distributed into nine groups of seven animals each with group 1 serving as the normal control. Groups 2 to 7 were given 10% fructose in their drinking water for 14 days, after which 40 mg/kg of streptozotocin was administered. Group 2 animals served as the diabetic control, while groups 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were treated with 30 mg/kg MSD, 60 mg/kg MSD, 30 mg/kg FSD, 60 mg/kg FSD and 5 mg/kg glibenclamide respectively. Groups 8 and 9, contained healthy animals, and were treated with only 60 MSD, and 60 mg/kg FSD respectively. Biochemical parameters such as liver and kidney function tests, lipid profile, as well as lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes were assessed in addition to histopathology.ResultsIt was observed that daily oral administration of MSD and FSD for 21 days significantly (p < 0.05) improved the observed pathological changes as a result of type 2 diabetes.ConclusionIt could be deduced from results obtained in this study that methanolic and flavonoid-rich leaf extracts of S.dulcificum have antidiabetic potential in type 2 diabetic rats.

SummaryAnthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is the most severe foliar disease of water yam (Dioscorea alata) worldwide. The tetraploid breeding line, TDa 95/00328, is a source of dominant genetic resistance to the moderately virulent fast growing salmon (FGS) strain of C. gloeosporioides. Bulked segregant analysis was used to search for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to anthracnose resistance in F1 progeny derived from a cross between TDa 95/00328 and the susceptible male parent, TDa 95–310. Two hundred and eighty decamer primers were screened using bulks obtained from pooled DNA of individuals comprising each extreme of the disease phenotype distribution. A single locus that contributes to anthracnose resistance in TDa 95/00328 was identified and tentatively named Dcg‐1. We found two RAPD markers closely linked in coupling phase with Dcg‐1, named OPI71700 and OPE6950, both of which were mapped on the same linkage group. OPI71700 appeared tightly linked to the Dcg‐1 locus; it was present in all the 58 resistant F1 individuals and absent in all but one of the 13 susceptible genotypes (genetic distance of 2.3 cM). OPE6950 was present in 56 of the 58 resistant progeny and only one susceptible F1 plant showed this marker (6.8 cM). Both markers successfully identified Dcg‐1 in resistant D. alata genotypes among 34 breeding lines, indicating their potential for use in marker‐assisted selection. OPI71700 and OPE6950 are the first DNA markers for yam anthracnose resistance. The use of molecular markers presents a valuable strategy for selection and pyramiding of anthracnose resistance genes in yam improvement.

Genetic fingerprinting of 18 different isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from Nigeria using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was carried out. Ten out of 100 Operon primers showed polymorphism among the isolates tested generating 88 bands, 51 of which were polymorphic with sizes ranging between 200 and 3,000 bp. All the isolates were classified completely into two major groups (Sa-1 and Sa-2) with twelve different subgroups. Sa-1 group originated from human while isolates from plant and animal origins formed the Sa-2 group. The twelve different subgroups suggest adaptation of S. aureus in the different host cells. This indicates possible relationship between host origin and genetic variation among S. aureus isolates. The DNA fingerprint defined for each race of S. aureus could be useful in epidemiological studies, medical diagnosis and the identification of new strains and their origins.

Wopereis et al.) 213 by increasing the area under rice cultivation or increasing the productivity per unit area by using high-yielding varieties and fertilizers. However, both development of new areas for rice cultivation and intensification face prevailing and unpredictable challenges, among which diseases are likely to feature prominently. This chapter gives an overview of the rice diseases identified in Africa and their importance, and then focuses on the three major ones. We describe what is known about pathogen variability and show how that knowledge can be used to create varietal resistance as part of an integrated approach to disease management. Major Rice Diseases and Their Importance in Africa Diseases of rice Various studies have inventoried rice diseases in