• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.230-235
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• 2020

The global evolution of antibiotic resistance has threatened the efficacy of available treatment options with ravaging impacts observed in developing countries. As a result, investigations into the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the role of plasmids are crucial. In this study, we investigated the presence and distribution of bla_TEM and gyrA genes, plasmid profiles, and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Salmonella strains isolated from raw meat and stool sources across Niger State, Nigeria. Ninety-eight samples, comprising 72 raw meat and 26 stool samples, were screened for Salmonella spp. The antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella isolates to 10 commonly used antimicrobial agents was determined using the KirbyBauer disc diffusion method. Isolates were further analyzed for plasmids, in addition to PCR amplification of beta-lactamase (bla_TEM) and gyrA genes. A total of 31 Salmonella spp. were isolated, with 22 from raw meat (70.97%) and 9 from stool (29.03%). Salmonella spp. with multiple resistance patterns to ceftazidime, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, ampicillin, cloxacillin, and gentamicin were detected. Ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were found to be the most effective among the antibiotics tested, with 67.7% and 93.5% susceptible isolates, respectively. Nine (29.03%) isolates harbored plasmids with molecular sizes ranging between 6557 bp and 23137 bp. PCR amplification of gyrA was detected in 1 (3.23%) of the 31 isolates while 28 isolates (90.32%) were positive for bla_TEM. This study shows the incidence of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella isolates and the possible role of plasmids; it also highlights the prevalence of ampicillin resistance in this local population.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.50
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• pp.127-136
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• 2023

Water scarcity decreases the rate of photosynthesis and, consequently, the yield of banana plants (Musa spp). In this study, transcriptome analysis was performed to identify photosynthesis-related genes in banana plants and determine their expression profiles under water stress conditions. Banana plantlets were in vitro cultured on Murashige and Skoog agar medium with and without 10% polyethylene glycol and marked as BP10 and BK. Chlorophyll contents in the plant shoots were determined spectrophotometrically. Two cDNA libraries generated from BK and BP10 plantlets, respectively, were used as the reference for transcriptome data. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and visualized using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway prediction. Morphological observations indicated that water deficiency caused chlorosis and reduced the shoot chlorophyll content of banana plantlets. GO enrichment identified 52 photosynthesis-related genes that were affected by water stress. KEGG visualization revealed the pathways related to the 52 photosynthesisr-elated genes and their allocations in four GO terms. Four, 12, 15, and 21 genes were related to chlorophyll biosynthesis, the Calvin cycle, the photosynthetic electron transfer chain, and the light-harvesting complex, respectively. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis using DESeq revealed that 45 genes were down-regulated, whereas seven genes were up-regulated. Four of the down-regulated genes were responsible for chlorophyll biosynthesis and appeared to cause the decrease in the banana leaf chlorophyll content. Among the annotated DEGs, MaPNDO, MaPSAL, and MaFEDA were selected and validated using quantitative real-time PCR.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.9-20
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• 2017

Incidence of leaf blast on nursery plants and pitting disease on maturing banana bunches has been recorded in banana plantations during rainy season in Eastern India during 2014 to 2015. Taxonomical identification as well as DNA sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of fungus isolated from affected tissue culture derived plantlets and fruits confirmed the pathogen to be Pyricularia angulata Hashioka "in both the cases". Koch's postulates were proved on young plantlets as well as on maturing fruits of cv. Grand Naine under simulated conditions. Evolutionary history was inferred and presented for our P. angulata strain PG9001 with GenBank accession no. KU984740. The analysis indicated that the P. angulata is phylogenitically distinct from other related species related to both Pyricularia and Magnaporthe. Detailed symptoms of blast lesions on young leaves, transition leaves, mid rib, petioles, peduncle, maturing bunches, bunch stalks and cushions were documented. Notably, the distinct small pitting spots on maturing bunches reduced the visual appeal of mature fruits. Appearance of pitting symptoms on fruits in relation with age of fruits and their distribution pattern on bunch and fingers was also documented in detail. Further, the roles of transitory leaves, weed hosts, seasonality on disease occurrence have also been documented.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2018

Inducing genetic and morphological variation through conventional method is very difficult. Therefore, mutation induction through in vitro technology brings numerous advantages over the conventional breeding. Thus, the individual shoots (1 ~ 2 cm) were irradiated with gamma rays (10 ~ 70 Gy). The result revealed that the explants treated with higher doses (40, 50, 60, and 70 Gy) showed deleterious effects of ionizing radiation. The highest survival rate among ${\gamma}$ treated explants recorded was 71% in 10 Gy treatments while the lowest survivality was 15% in 70 Gy. Lethal dose 50% ($LD_{50}$) dose was found to be 33 Gy. In the in vitro condition, rooting reponse showed that increase in gamma irradiation dose resulted in the inhibition of root growth. Meanwhile, non-treated explants had the best rooting ability with the maximum number of root per explant (20) within a short period of time (6 days), with the highest root length of (15.1 cm). The longer period in rooting (12 days) and lowest number of root per explant (8) with shortest root length (10.1 cm) were recorded at 30 Gy treatment. The highest shoot length (13.6 cm) was observed at control treatment and the shortest shoot length (10.4 cm) was observed at 30 Gy. In the nursery, lowest leaf number (5) was observed at 30 Gy compared with other treatments. The highest chlorophyll content (49.8) was recorded at 10 Gy treated seedling. Irradiated explants with 10 Gy found to be superior over the control treatment and had positive effects in main growth parameters such as chlorophyll content.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.165-170
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• 2008

Protein-energy malnutrition is regarded as one of the public health problems in developing countries as a result of poor feeding practices due to poverty. This study, therefore, aimed at evaluating nutritional quality of a potential weaning food formulated from locally available food materials. The cooking banana fruit(CB) and bambara groundnut seeds(BG) were purchased from local market in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The CB and BG were processed into flours, mixed in ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40 and subjected into proximate, sensory and biochemical analyses using standard procedures. Nutrend(a commercial formula) and ogi(corn gruel, a traditional weaning food) were used as control. The nutritient composition(g/100 g) of the food samples were ranged as follows: moisture 2.94-6.94, protein 7.02-16.0, ash 1.76-2.99, fat 0.76-8.45, fibre 1.52-3.75, carbohydrate 63.84-88.43 and energy 1569.8-1665.7 kcal. The biological value(BV), net protein retention(NPR), protein efficiency ratio(PER) and feed efficiency ratio(FER) of the experimental food samples were significantly(p<0.05) lower than nutrend, but higher than ogi. The haematological variables of rats fed with formulated food samples, commercial formula(nutrend) and traditional weaning food(ogi) were not significantly(p>0.05) influenced by the dietary treatment. However, the values obtained for red blood cell(RBC), white blood cell(WBC), pack cell volume(PCV) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) were higher in the experimental food samples than the commercial food. The growth rate of animals fed with experimental food samples were lower than those fed with the nutrend, but higher than those fed with ogi. In conclusion, the nutritional quality of CB and fermented BG mix of 60:40 ratio was better than ogi; and comparable to the nutrend. This implies that it can be used to replace low quality traditional weaning food and the expensive commercial weaning formula.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.61-74
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• 2013

This study examined and analyzed ancient writing and poetry regarding cases of appreciating plants by using pots in a garden of a palace or private houses by ancestors, and examined shape and planting method of plant species and potted plants, arrangement and preference of potted plants. As for the method of the study, description research method which examines and interprets poem and painting based on potted plants. The results of this study is summarized like the following. First, the plants which were favorably used for potted plants include 19 kinds such as Prunus mume, Pinus densiflora, Pinus pumila, Phyllostachys spp., Camellia japonica, Punica granatum, and Gardenia jasminoidesa, and as for herbs, 12 kinds such as Chrysanthemum monifolium and Nelumbo nusifera . Second, the species which were specially arranged into artificial shapes include Prunus mume and Pinus densiflora. The two plants made the shape of severe curves of stems such as Wangpi. Gyuban, and Bangan, and there are Pinus densiflora dwarfed potted plant whose roots are stretched on Prunus mume grafted into a strange stump and an oddly shaped stone. For the beauty of the dwarfed tree shape, pine cones are added to an old Pinus densiflora or Parthenocissus tricuspidata is planted to stems, and additional method of making moss on the soil, which is called 'Jongbunchuigyeong'. As for planting method, water culture, planting on a stone, planting on a charcoal, and assembled planting are expressed in poetry. Third, as for external space for potted plants, a place where a king stays, a bed room for a king, surrounding areas and gardens of private houses, and step stones were used as a space which adds artistic effects. Potted plants are placed on a table in a library, on a desk, on a drawer, and near a pillow as a small items in a room, and scholars enjoyed original characteristics and symbolism of the potted plants. Fourth, at the time of flowering of Prunus mume, poetry event was held to enjoy the tree and writing poetry begun. And at the time of flowering of Chrysanthemum monifolium, the flowers were floated in a liquor glass or shadow play was enjoyed. Fifth, potted plants played the role of garden ornaments in elegant events of a palace, the gentry, wedding ceremony, and sacrificial rites. Sixth, potted plants were used as tributes between countries, donation to a king, or a gift of a king. In addition, there were many cases where scholars exchanged potted plants and there is the first record of giving a potted plant in 'Mokeunsigo' by Mokeun Isaek, scholar in the late era of Goryeo. Seventh, at the time of flowering Prunus mume, Chrysanthemum monifolium, Gardenia jasminoides, Nelumbo nusifera, and Narcissustazetta var. chinensis, they enjoyed the particular fragrance and express it into poetry. Eighth, plant species from southern parts such as Camellia japonica, Daphne odora, Gardenia jasminoides, Citrus unshiu, Phyllostachys spp., Punica granatum, Rosa rugosa, and Musa basjoo, or foreign plant species, and species weak against the cold were utilized as pot plants for enjoying green trees indoors in northern central province in harshly cold winter.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.134-147
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is, focusing on the ancient paintings and literatures, by examining Flowering Plants and drawing their cultivating methods, to provide a ground of utilizing them on the modern landscaping. In the scope and method of this study, 766 pieces of ancient paintings(6 garden paintings and 760 folk paintings) which were available and had value as literatures, and 8 of ancient literatures were intensively examined. Main results extracted from them are as follows. First, the most frequently used Flowering Plants in Joseon Dynasty were Prunus mume, pbyllostachys, Nelumbo nucifera, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Musa basjoo, Rosa spp., Rhododendron mucronulatum, Paeonia lactiflora, which appeared 11 times to 16 times in total. Next frequently(4 times to 8 times) used Flowering Plants were Gardenia jasminoides, Punica granatum(8 times), Dianthus chinensis, Vitis vinifera(7 times), Orchidaceae, Syringa velutina, Impatiens balsamina, Hemerocallis fulva, Celosia cristata, Hibiscus Syriacus, Rhododendron indicum(6 times), Rhododendron, Rhododendron obutusum, Acorus calamus, Althaea rosea, Kerria japonica, Citrus junos(5 times), Hibiscus mutabilis, Lychnis cognata, Calendula officnalis, Begonia rex., Helianthus annuus, Papaver spp., Narcissus tazetta, Daphne odora, Hosta plantaginea(4 times). Second, usage of the Flowering Plants in Joseon Dynasty can be divided into character building and horticulture for pleasure through positive, scientific approach attempt. It suggests that there might have been classes in the use of them and we can estimate which plants were particularly preferred. Third, in the symbolicity of the usage of Flowering Plants, it can be divided into three parts: The case of representing integrity, gentleman, honesty and nobility and the thought of loyalty and filial piety under the influence of Confucianism. The case of representing Taoism's thought of hermit and perennial youth and long life. The case of representing wish on wealth and prosperity. So if we make a good use of it, we may draw a meaning of cultivation of Flowering Plants from it. This is your target audience or the good luck to all he plants is aimed at, you can see the occurred. Fourth, the Joseon Dynasty was the use of flowering plants are the line of rain wanted to be more consistent with the spirit world. This is shown as a symbol of their ancestors. Joseon Dynasty was used, resulting in a kind of flowering plant and is not a subjective judgement criteria A psychological approach to the side when interpreting the Joseon Dynasty flowering plants to take advantage of the landscape of the area will widen in scope.