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Floristic composition, population structure, and regeneration status of woody species of Dabal forest found in East Hararghe zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, were studied. Vegetation data were obtained from 52 main plots of 20 × 20 m for mature woody species and 5 subplots of 5 × 5 m for seedlings and saplings. Density and dbh of each live woody plant species found in each sample plot were recorded. Frequency, basal area, importance value, and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices were also computed. Totally 59 woody plant species distributed in 33 families were documented. Of these, 45.80, 44.10, and 5.08% were shrubs, trees, and lianas, respectively. Species diversity and evenness indices were 3.56 and 0.87, respectively. Stem count of all woody species was 3379 stems ha^-1. Out of this, 44.6, 30.8, and 24.59% were seedlings (dbh <3.5 cm), saplings (dbh between 3.5 and 10 cm), and mature (dbh >10 cm) individuals, respectively. Total basal area of all individuals with dbh ≥3.5 cm was 29.88 m² ha^-1. Juniperus procera, Cupressus lusitanica, Eucalyptus globulus, Afrocarpus falcatus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Myrsine africana, Maytenus undata, Hagenia abyssinica, Ekebergia capensis, and Cordia africana were species with top ten IVI. Most of these species were top densest, dominant, and frequent. Analysis of population structure based on pooled densities of all species in each dbh class showed that density of seedling > sapling > mature individuals, signifying healthy population structure with good natural regeneration potential. On individual basis, however, 35.6 and 8.5% of species showed fair and poor regeneration statuses, respectively, that deserve attention for conservation.

The application of organic substrates can affect soil respiration, dehydrogenase (DH-ase) activity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and humic acid (HA) fractions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of five organic substrates in the organic fractions of degraded alluvial soil, acid sulfate soil, and sandy soils and the physicochemical properties of the soil. Soil samples were amended at a rate of 5 tons ha^-1 with (1) water hyacinth compost, (2) sugarcane filter cake compost, (3) biogas sludge-rice straw compost, (4) vermicompost, and (5) sludge. The results showed that soil respiration and DH-ase activity increased rapidly within the first 5 days of incubation, while the concentrations of DOC and HA decreased throughout the incubation period. The highest respiration and DH-ase activity occurred after the application of vermicompost. DOC was found to be the highest in soils amended with sugarcane. The highest concentration of HA was observed with the application of sugarcane residues, regardless of the type of soil. The application of water hyacinth and biogas sludge stimulated cumulative HA only in the acid sulfate soil, while vermicompost improved HA only in the degraded soil. The largest stimulation in respiration and DH-ase activity was observed in degraded and sandy soils, regardless of the type of amendment. In the acid sulfate soil (3.7 mg·C·g^-1), larger amounts of DOC and HA were observed than in both degraded (1.7 mg·C·g^-1) and sandy soils (1 mg·C·g^-1). However, DH-ase activity was the lowest in acid sulfate soil.

A retrospective study was conducted in Abergele and Ziquala districts in Ethiopia to investigate the occurrence, impact, and potential risk factors for abortion in small ruminants linked to a regional abortion storm. Affected (case) and nonaffected (control) villages were compared to assess infectious and noninfectious risk factors causing abortions. A case village was defined as a village with abortion seen in all households enrolled in the study, while a control village is characterized by presence of abortion in two and fewer households. A questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, and serological examinations were used to assess the differences in the abortion rate between the case and control villages. The Rose Bengal Plate Test for Brucellosis, Toxoplasma gondii Antibody Test Kit for Toxoplasma gondii, and ELISA for Chlamydophila abortus and Coxiella burnetii were used to detect antibodies. Per village 15 household flocks were selected. In the case villages, all flocks were affected by abortion (a mean abortion of 13 animals in Abergele and 9 in Ziquala). In contrast, only three households reported abortions in the control villages. A total of 176 blood samples were collected from the case and control villages for further laboratory diagnosis of possible causes of abortion. Of the examined flocks, 17%, 10.2%, and 2.8% were positive for Coxiella burnetii, Toxoplasma gondii, and Chlamydophila abortus, respectively. However, antibodies against Brucella melitensis were not detected. While the seroprevalence was greater for some infectious agents of abortion, there was no significant difference between the case and control villages. It is clear that the abortion problem in the study villages is complex and likely due to a mix of poor husbandry practices and the presence of infectious diseases. To better understand the underlying causes of abortion, there is a need to conduct a longitudinal study involving testing for more pathogens at the household level combined with reliable data on husbandry practices.

Currently, light-emitting diode (LED) technology has produced a more energy-efficient and versatile technology as an artificial lighting system that can be applied in the agricultural sector. Artificial lighting technology has been proven to be effective in increasing the production of agricultural products, especially horticultural commodities. As one of the primary horticulture commodities, tomatoes are the most common crop produced in controlled environments with LED artificial lighting. The focus of this study is to describe the application of LED lights in tomato cultivation and postharvest. We provide an amalgamation of the recent research achievements on the impact of LED lighting on photosynthesis, vegetative growth, flowering, production, and postharvest of tomatoes. Red-blue (RB) lighting induces photosynthesis; increases the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids in tomato leaves; regulates vegetative growth in tomatoes; and increases the production of tomatoes. In postharvest tomatoes, blue LED lighting treatment can slowly change the color of the tomato skin to red, maintain hardness, and increase shelf life. Future research may be carried out on the effect of LED artificial lighting on tomatoes' phytochemical, antioxidant and other crucial nutritional content. Different LED wavelengths can be explored to enhance various bioactive compounds and health-promoting components.

Coastal vegetation plays significant roles such as stabilization of the surface against wind and erosion, and provision of critical terrestrial and aquatic habitats for organisms. Floristic studies serve as a way of monitoring and evaluating the health of ecosystems. Currently, information on the floristic composition and diversity along the shoreline of Cape Coast is scanty. The study was aimed at assessing the impacts of anthropogenic activities on plant biodiversity along the shoreline of Cape Coast, Ghana. Thus, the study analysed the biodiversity of plants at the Hutchland beach (a disturbed area) and the Asasse Pa beach (a fairly undisturbed area). It was hypothesised that the Asasse Pa beach had a higher species diversity than the Hutchland beach. An inventory was made of all plant species found at both locations. A belt transect method was used for the ecological study, involving the use of a 1 m² quadrat. All the plants that were found in each quadrat were identified, and the species and number of individuals of each species were counted-this information was used in the determination of the ecological parameters of the species and the locations. Parameters between the two locations were compared with a t-test, whereas variations in the distribution of the species were determined with principal components analysis (PCA), using Minitab and R statistical software, respectively. A total of 50 plant species belonging to 48 genera and 23 families were inventoried along the shoreline. The family Poaceae had the highest number of species, 10. The Asasse Pa beach had a higher species diversity and evenness of 2.84 and 0.84, respectively, whereas the Hutchland beach had a lower species diversity and evenness of 2.44 and 0.75, respectively. Anthropogenic activities at the Hutchland beach might have accounted for the lower species diversity and evenness there. The study therefore recommends periodic monitoring of coastal vegetation also law enforcement on coastal resources.

Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella typhi, has plagued underdeveloped countries for many years. Recently, there has been a surge in S. typhi strains identified to be multidrug-resistant in endemic areas. Aspilia africana and Manihot esculenta have been reported to exhibit activity against S. typhi; however, this study aimed to investigate the effect of A. africana and M. esculenta against resistance strains of S. typhi. The leaves of the plants were extracted using distilled water (hot (A_QH) and cold (A_QC)), methanol (M_ET), ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether. The extracts were screened in vitro for anti-Salmonella effects against fourteen S. typhi isolates (five multidrug-resistant (MDRST), five ciprofloxacin-resistant (CRST), three nalidixic acid-resistant (NARST), and one sensitive isolate (SS)) using agar well diffusion and microbroth dilution methods. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, saponins, glycosides, and flavonoids in all polar solvent extracts. Alkaloids were found in all extracts, while triterpenoids were present in all except the aqueous extracts. The A_QC of A. africana had the best inhibitory effect on the MDRST and NARST with diameter zones of inhibitions (DZOIs) of 40.0 ± 2.08 mm and 34.0 ± 3.22 mm, respectively. Methanol extract of A. africana had the best inhibitory effect on CRST and SS with DZOIs of 34.0 ± 2.08 and 43.0 ± 3.06 mm, respectively. The A_QC and A_QH of A. africana and A_QH of M. esculenta produced the best MICs and MBCs of 2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL against the MDRST. There was no significant difference in ZOIs of the different solvent extracts against test organisms at p < 0.05. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the extracts showed compounds such as n-hexadecanoic acid, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid (9.55%), and 2H-benzo[F]oxireno[2,3-E]benzofuran-8(9H)-one in the A. Africana extracts and D-mannose, 3-nitrophenyl, methanol acetate (ester), and 9-octadecenamide in the M. esculenta extracts. The leaves of M. esculenta and A. Africana are effective against multidrug-resistant Salmonella isolates.

Naturally occurring hydrophilic colloids are versatile excipients in drug delivery systems. They are often used as coating materials, disintegrating agents, binders, emulsion stabilizers, and other applications. This study sought to investigate the physicochemical and emulsifying properties of gum extracted from Melia azedarach (MA). The gum was harvested, authenticated, and purified using ethanol precipitation. Physicochemical, microbial, and proximate analyses were performed on the purified gum. Oil of olive emulsions containing different amounts (5-15%w/v) of the gum as emulsifiers were prepared by homogenization. The zeta potential, creaming index, and average droplet size of products were assessed. The effects of pH changes, temperature, and monovalent and divalent electrolytes on the stability of the emulsions were also investigated. The yield of the gum after purification was 68.3%w/w. The gum has low moisture content and good swelling properties. Lead, copper, cadmium, and mercury were not detected. Emulsions containing 15%w/v of acacia or MA gum had the smallest average (Z-average) droplet size (acacia: 1.837 ± 0.420 μm; MA gum: 2.791 ± 0.694 μm) and the highest zeta potential (acacia: -30.45 mV; MA gum: -32.867 mV). Increasing the concentration of the gums increased the emulsion viscosity with MA gum emulsions being more viscous than corresponding acacia emulsions. MA gum emulsions had higher emulsion capacity and stability but lower creaming index relative to acacia gum emulsions of similar concentrations. Potassium chloride (KCl) reduced zeta potential but increased Z-average for emulsions prepared with either gum. Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) produced a similar but more pronounced effect. When the pH was decreased from 10 to 2, the zeta potential of the droplets was reduced, but the droplet size of emulsions prepared from either gum was increased. Increasing temperature from 25 to 90°C produced no significant (p value >0.9999) change in droplet size. These findings suggest that MA gum is a capable emulsifying agent at 15%w/v.

A total of 332 freshwater crab Sartoriana spinigera samples were collected for eight consecutive months from the Ratargul freshwater swamp forest, Bangladesh, to examine their general morphometrics and reproductive traits. The length-weight relationships of carapace weight with carapace length, width, and depth indicated negative allometric growth. The logarithmic relationship between carapace weight and carapace length, carapace weight and carapace width, and carapace weight and carapace depth exhibited a correlation value of 0.86, 0.79, and 0.56, respectively. Fulton's condition factor and allometric condition factor were found to be highest in March and lowest in October. The sex ratio was 1.59 : 1 for the male to female, which did not show a considerable divergence from the expected 1 : 1 ratio in the chi-square test (P < 0.05). In July, a maximum of mature individuals was collected and investigated. The fertilization was 1297 ± 629 ova, the ovary weight was 447.22 ± 359.39 mg, and the egg diameter was 375.15 ± 130.18 µm. Histological analysis showed that the male hepatopancreas was well organized and decomposition was reported in the female during the vitellogenic stages of the ovary. Spermatogonium cells were found in the male gonad, and cells from the female gonad were in the vitellogenic mature stage. In conclusion, the research will serve as a foundation for future research work on freshwater crab species as well as the conservation and maintenance of the ecological balance of this species in the Ratargul freshwater swamp forest.

Compared to other drug discovery sources, traditional medicine has significantly contributed to developing innovative therapeutic molecules for preventive and curative medicine. The Baobab tree, also known as Adansonia digitata L., is significant in Africa due to its multitude of benefits and various parts that serve different purposes, providing economic support to rural communities. The analysis of a plant sample using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy detected multiple functional groups, such as carboxyl and aromatic groups. Additionally, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) was utilized to identify various compounds present in the sample, including tetrachloroethylene and octyl ester. The results of different assays, such as α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide, nitric oxide scavenging assays, and total antioxidant by thiobarbituric acid method (TBA) and ferric thiocyanate (FTC) method, demonstrated a substantial scavenging of free radicals and an effective antioxidant efficacy. The bark's antimicrobial activity was tested through agar diffusion, resulting in a range of zone of inhibition from 10.1 ± 0.36 mm to 20.85 ± 0.76 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was observed to be approximately 0.625 µg/mL. The biofilm inhibition percentage ranged from 9.89% to 57.92%, with the highest percentage being 57.92%. The GC-MS and FT-IR studies revealed phytocompounds, which were then analyzed for their potential therapeutic properties. Computational studies were conducted on the phytocompounds against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and C2 kinase (antioxidant). The study concluded that the Adansonia digitata bark extract and its phytocompound have potential therapeutic efficacy against the target proteins. The best docking scores were about -7.053 kcal/mol and -7.573 kcal/mol for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and C2 kinase (antioxidant), respectively. The interaction patterns with the crucial amino acid residues elucidate the inhibitory efficacy of the phytocompounds.