Suitability of Stem Latex of Jatropha Gossypifolia as a Protein Precipitant for Biochemical Analysis

The extract of Jatropha Gossypifolia stem was obtained by cutting the stem with a sharp knife and the fluid expressed out. The suitability of the stem latex extract as a precipitant for biochemical analysis was determined. The precipitating efficacy of the extract for creatinine and protein estimation was found to be optimum at 1/4 and 1/5 dilutions respectively aqueous solution. Plasma protein was precipitated with stem extract of J. Gossypifolia at the stated dilution. The mean plasma creatinine values obtained from 0.5 % sodium tungstate as a protein precipitant were compared with the values of plasma creatinine obtained when ¼ dilution of stem extract of J. Gossypifolia was used as protein precipitant. Similarly mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urinary protein values obtained from 3 % Tricholoro-acetic acid as protein precipitant were compared with values obtained from 1/5 dilution of stem extract of J. Gossypifolia as protein precipitant. The values obtained from the stem latex extract at the stated dilutions were comparable with values obtained from the conventional protein precipitants (p < 0.05). The stem latex extract of J. Gossypifolia is suitable as a protein precipitant for creatinine, CSF and urinary protein estimations. However further work need to be done to purify the extract and determine the exact concentration at the stated dilutions as well as the active ingredient in stem latex.     

ICT enabled Almajiri education in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects

Education and Information Technologies - The Almajiri children in Nigeria are deserving of special interventions to reduce the life-long divide in educational achievement, social status, and...     

Impact of mobile-based mentoring,socio-economic background and religion on girls’ attitude and belief towards antisocial behaviour (ASB)

This study examined the impact of mobile-based mentoring, socio-economic background and religion on girl’s attitude and belief towards ASB in Ibadan Oyo State Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed method research design. The participants in the study comprised forty (40) students purposively selected from Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The platform ( www.gcmentoringinitiative.org ) was adopted for mobile-based mentoring. One research question was raised and three null hypotheses were tested in the study at .05 level of significance. Data were analysed using content analysis for Focus Group Discussion, Analysis of Covariance and Estimated Marginal Means. The results reveal a significant main effect of socio-economic background on girl’s attitude towards ASB. Also, there was no significant impact of mobile-based mentoring on girl’s attitude towards ASB. Based on the findings, using mobiles in mentoring girls could significantly reinforce or change their belief in engaging in antisocial activities. Also, the socio-economic background plays a significant role in determining the attitude and belief of girls in engaging in antisocial activities. Girls’ religion has little or no effect on their belief and attitude towards antisocial behaviours (ASB). Girls from low-income family are susceptible to engage in ASB, while those from wealthy homes are less likely to engage in ASB.