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This study examined the impact of a pedagogy that is culturally influenced and laced with technological and contextual elements known as the culturo-techno-contextual approach (CTCA) on promoting knowledge retention of biology concepts. The research design was mixed methods, and the sample consisted of 88 senior secondary school II students selected from two Lagos State educational district V schools in Nigeria. Quantitative data was collected using the Variation and Evolution Achievement Test with a reliability value of 0.79, while qualitative data was collected using the Students' Perception of CTCA Interview Guide. All students in the two sample schools used for the experimental and control groups took a pretest before treatment, a posttest at the end of the treatment phase, and a retention test four weeks later. The ANCOVA output demonstrated a statistically significant difference in knowledge retention [F (1,85) = 134.50; p < 0.05]. This suggests that experimental students retained more.

Background: Studies in biology have shown that students perceive variation and evolution to be difficult areas to learn. This has sparked rote learning of variation and evolution concepts and is evidenced in poor performance in tests involving these concepts. Purpose: In light of the significant role of variation and evolution in a human's acquaintance with themselves and their environment, there is a need to ensure that students possess meaningful learning of variation and evolution rather than learning by rote. Hence, this study investigated if the use of CTCA as an intervention will enhance students' performance in variation and evolution concepts in biology. Sample: The potency of the culturo-techno-contextual approach was tried out in this study with 156 senior secondary two biology students, equivalent to (11th grade) with an average age of 14 years. Design and method: The research design was a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test non-equivalent group design. Data on meaningful learning was collected using a 35 multiple-choice item test of Meaningful Learning in Variation and Evolution. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was, however, determined to be 0.77. Data collected were analysed using ANCOVA since the random assignment of subjects was not achieved. Results: The 76 students in the experimental group who were taught variation and evolution using CTCA performed significantly better F(1, 134) = 15.40; p < 0.0001] than their control group counterparts (N = 80). Conclusion: The data from this study support the potency of the culturo-techno-contextual approach in bringing about the learning of variation and evolution in a meaningful manner. The implications of these results for teacher education in biology are addressed in the article.

This study is aimed at investigating the near-surface aquifers within Lekki Peninsula, Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria. Thirty-one (31) Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) data were acquired using the Schlumberger array with current electrode spacing, which varies between 1 and 400m. The VES data were quantitatively interpreted, and the final layer parameters obtained were used to generate 2D geoelectric sections. Litho-logs acquired within the Lekki Peninsula were used to correlate the geoelectric sections to understand the nature and depth of groundwater contained in each aquiferous zone. The lithologies delineated in the study area include the topsoil (fill and/or sand) with resistivity value, which varies between 39 and 1535Wm as well as layer thickness from 0.5 to 5.5m; second layer of wet clay/sandy clay (saturated with brackish water) with resistivity value, which varies between5 and 163Wm as well as layer thickness from 1.5 to 10m; third layer of clayey sand/sand (saturated with freshwater) with resistivity value, which varies between 10 and 898Wm as well as layer thickness value from5 to 34m; and fourth layer of clay (saturated with saline water) with resistivity value, which varies between 1 and 9Wm. Isolated sand bodies (probably unsaturated zone) with resistivity value, which varies from 648 to 3560 Wm, were delineated beneath VES stations 24, 25, 29 and 30. The study concludes that the topsoil (sand/fill), unsaturated zone (conglomerate), silty mud layer (brackish/ freshwater saturated), and sand layer (saline water-saturated) constitute the aquifers and water quality within Lekki Peninsular. The inhabitants of the study area are, therefore, advised to avoid absurd usage of water to reduce the pumping rate and intrusion into the saline water formation.

Studies in biology have shown that students perceive variation and evolution to be difficult areas to learn. This has sparked rote learning of variation and evolution concepts and is evidenced in poor performance in tests involving these concepts. In light of the significant role of variation and evolution in a human's acquaintance with themselves and their environment, there is a need to ensure that students possess meaningful learning of variation and evolution rather than learning by rote. Hence, this study investigated if the use of CTCA as an intervention will enhance students' performance in variation and evolution concepts in biology. The potency of the culturo-techno-contextual approach was tried out in this study with 156 senior secondary two biology students, equivalent to (11th grade) with an average age of 14 years. The research design was a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test non-equivalent group design. Data on meaningful learning was collected using a 35 multiple-choice item test of Meaningful Learning in Variation and Evolution. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was, however, determined to be 0.77. Data collected were analysed using ANCOVA since the random assignment of subjects was not achieved. The 76 students in the experimental group who were taught variation and evolution using CTCA performed significantly better F(1, 134) = 15.40; p < 0.0001] than their control group counterparts (N = 80). The data from this study support the potency of the culturo-techno-contextual approach in bringing about the learning of variation and evolution in a meaningful manner. The implications of these results for teacher education in biology are addressed in the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examined the possibility of finding out if improvements in students' problem solving performance in simultaneous linear equation will be recorded with the use of procedural and conceptual learning strategies and in addition to find out which of the strategies will be more effective. The study adopted a pretest, post test control group design. A total of 166 science students drawn from four schools in four local government Areas in Osun state of south-western Nigeria were involved in the study. The students were in Senior Secondary Class Two. These students were assigned to four groups of Conceptual Learning Strategy (CLS), Procedural Learning Strategy (PLS) and Conventional Method (CM) while the fourth group was not taught at all. The first two groups were the experimental groups and the control groups were the last two groups. Treatment was administered for a period of eight weeks. A mathematical achievement test was used as pretest and posttest after validation and was found to have reliability coefficient of 0.76 and item difficulty level ranging between 0.42 and 0.46. Three mathematics teachers who were university graduates were engaged to administer the treatment. The study recorded a significant difference between the problem-solving performance of students in the CLS group and those in the CM group (X[subscript 1]=30.71, X[subscript 2] = 15.66, df =78, t = 16.56, p less than 0.05).Significant difference in performance was also recorded between PLS group and CM group (X[subscript 1] = 24.07, X[subscript 2] = 15.66, df =80, t = 10.95, p less than 0.05). Likewise performance of students in CLS group and those in PLS group differed significantly (X[subscript 1]=30.71, X[subscript 2] = 24.07, df = 84, t = 7.98, p less than 0.05). The study therefore concluded that both CLS and PLS were effective in enhancing students problem-solving performance and that conceptual learning strategy was more effective. (Contains 7 tables.)

Enrichment of environmental conditions of laboratory mice model in most in-vivo studies may be attributed to quantity and quality of data output. Despite reports on welfare of Mus musculus (albino mice), there is dearth of studies in comparing standard breeding of this specie in enriched group (EG) and Un-enriched group (UG). The study examined productivity by breeding Mus musculus under standard laboratory condition, using comparison of this specie in proper (enriched) versus poor (un-enriched) condition. Six male and female mice (20 to 25g) were immaculately housed, fed, grouped into 2 (EG and UG) and bred using 2 phases of trio system (one male and two females) for 12 weeks (84 days). Results inferred production of more litters in EG (18/19) than UG, (12/14), respectively and more females' production than males in both groups for both phases. The number of cannibalised litters was more in UG (5 litters were cannibalised with 71.4 to 91.7 % survival rate) compared to EG (1 litter was cannibalised with 94.7 to 100% survival rate), during both phases. A significant (p < 0.05) difference was observed in volume of water consumed and average weight of mice in EG, when compared to UG. However, no significant (p > 0.05) difference observed in feed consumption of the two groups. The temperature readings (33.53±0.16 / 34.89 ±0.21) of clinical and mercury in glass thermometers of both groups revealed no significant difference. Thus, enriched group of laboratory mice appears to be more productive than un-enriched group during breeding period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxynitrite (PN) worsens pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress. However, beneficial effects have also been reported. PN has been shown to demonstrate vasodilator as well as vasoconstrictor properties that are dependent upon the experimental conditions and the vascular bed studied. PN-induced vascular smooth muscle relaxation may involve the formation of nitric oxide (NO) donors. The present results show that PN has significant vasodilator activity in the pulmonary and systemic vascular beds, and that responses to PN were not attenuated by L-penicillamine (L-PEN), a PN scavenger, whereas responses to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were decreased. PN had a small inhibitory effect on decreases in arterial pressure in response to the NO donors diethylammonium (Z)-1-(N,N-diethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DEA/NO) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). PN partially reversed hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. PN responses were attenuated by the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) and responses to PN and the PN precursor, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), were different. These data show that PN has potent pulmonary vasodilator activity in the rat, and provide evidence that a PN interaction with S-nitrosothiols is not the major mechanism mediating the response. These data suggest that responses to PN are mediated by the activation of sGC, and that PN has a small inhibitory effect on NO responses. Key words: pulmonary vasodilator responses, systemic circulation, oxidant stress, hypoxia, peroxynitrite, L- penicillamine, sodium nitroprusside, glyceryl trinitrate, S-nitrosoglutathione, DEA/NO, SIN-1, ODQ. Le peroxynitrite (PN) aggrave les conditions pathologiques associees au stress oxydant. Cependant, des effets benefiques ont aussi ete rapportes. Le PN possede des activites de vasodilatatrices ou vasoconstrictrices qui dependent des conditions experimentales et du lit vasculaire etudie. Le relachement du muscle lisse vasculaire induit par le PN peut impliquer la formation de donneurs d'oxyde nitrique (NO). Les resultats presents montrent que le PN possede une activite vasodilatatrice significative dans les lits vasculaires pulmonaire et systemique et que les reponses au PN ne sont pas attenuees par la L-penicillamine (L-PEN), un piegeur de PN, alors que les reponses au nitroprussiate de sodium etaient diminuees. Le PN presentait un leger effet inhibiteur sur les diminutions de tension arterielle en reponse au diethylammonium (Z)-1-(N,N-diethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DEA/NO) et au S-nitrosogluthathion (GSNO), des donneurs de NO. Le PN renversait partiellement la vasoconstriction pulmonaire hypoxique. Les reponses au PN etaient attenuees par le 1H- [1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), un inhibiteur de la guanylate cyclase soluble et les reponses au PN et au 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), un precurseur de PN, etaient differentes. Ces donnees montrent que le PN possede une activite vasodilatatrice pulmonaire puissante chez le rat et fournissent la preuve qu'une interaction entre le PN et les S-nitrosothiols n'est pas un mecanisme majeur implique dans cette reponse. Ces donnees suggerent que les reponses au PN sont dues a l'activation de la sGC et que le PN possede un leger effet inhibiteur sur les reponses au NO. Mots-cles : reponses vasodilatatrices pulmonaires, circulation systemique, stress oxydant, hypoxie, peroxynitrite, L-penicillamine, nitroprussiate de sodium, glyceryle trinitrate, S-nitrosogluthation, DEA-NO, SIN-1, ODQ. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction Peroxynitrite (PN; [ONOO.sup.-]) is a reactive oxygen species that is generated in the body by the rapid reaction of nitric oxide ([NO.sup.*]) and superoxide anion ([O.sup.*-.sub.2]) (Beckman et al. [...]

BAY 41-8543 is a nitric oxide (NO)-independent stimulator of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC). Responses to intravenous injections of BAY 41-8543 were investigated under baseline and elevated tone conditions and when NO synthase (NOS) was inhibited with [N.sup.[omega]]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Under baseline conditions, intravenous injections of BAY 41-8543 caused small decreases in pulmonary arterial pressure, larger decreases in systemic arterial pressure, and increases in cardiac output. When pulmonary arterial pressure was increased to ~30 mmHg with an intravenous infusion of U-46619, intravenous injections of BAY 41-8543 produced larger dose-dependent decreases in pulmonary arterial pressure, and the relative decreases in pulmonary and systemic arterial pressure in response to the sGC stimulator were similar. Treatment with L-NAME markedly decreased responses to BAY 41-8543 when pulmonary arterial pressure was increased to similar values (~30 mmHg) in U-46619-infused and in U-46619-infused plus L-NAME-treated animals. The intravenous injection of a small dose of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) when combined with BAY 41-8543 enhanced pulmonary and systemic vasodilator responses to the sGC stimulator in L-NAME-treated animals. The present results indicate that BAY 41-8543 has similar vasodilator activity in the systemic and pulmonary vascular beds when pulmonary vasoconstrictor tone is increased with U-46619. These results demonstrate that pulmonary and systemic vasodilator responses to BAY 41-8543 are significantly attenuated when NOS is inhibited by L-NAME and show that vasodilator responses to BAY 41-8543 are enhanced when combined with a small dose of SNP in L-NAME-treated animals. The present results are consistent with the concept that pulmonary and systemic vasodilator responses to the sGC stimulator are NO-independent; however, the vasodilator activity of the compound is greatly diminished when endogenous NO production is inhibited with L-NAME. These data show that BAY 41-8543 has similar vasodilator activity in the pulmonary and systemic vascular beds in the rat. soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulator; pulmonary and systemic vascular beds; U-46619; [N.sup.[omega]]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; sodium nitroprusside doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.01101.2009.

It has been reported that mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) catalyzes the formation of glyceryl dinitrate and inorganic nitrite from glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), leading to an increase in cGMP and vasodilation in the coronary and systemic vascular beds. However, the role of nitric oxide (NO) formed from nitrite in mediating the response to GTN in the pulmonary vascular bed is uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to determine if nitrite plays a role in mediating vasodilator responses to GTN. In this study, intravenous injections of GTN and sodium nitrite decreased pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures and increased cardiac output. The decreases in pulmonary arterial pressure under baseline and elevated tone conditions and decreases in systemic arterial pressure in response to GTN and sodium nitrite were attenuated by cyanamide, an ALDH2 inhibitor, whereas responses to the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), were not altered. The decreases in pulmonary and systemic arterial pressure in response to GTN and SNP were not altered by allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidoreductase, whereas responses to sodium nitrite were attenuated. GTN was ~1,000-fold more potent than sodium nitrite in decreasing pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures. These results suggest that ALDH2 plays an important role in the bioactivation of GTN and nitrite in the pulmonary and systemic vascular beds and that the reduction of nitrite to vasoactive NO does not play an important role in mediating vasodilator responses to GTN in the intact chest rat. mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase; xanthine oxidoreductase; nitric oxide; glyceryl trinitrate; sodium nitrite; sodium nitroprusside; allopurinol; cyanamide; U-46619; [N.sup.G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00959.2009.

Responses to the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 were investigated in the anesthetized rat. Under baseline conditions intravenous injections of Y-27632 decreased pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures and increased cardiac output. The decreases in pulmonary arterial pressures were enhanced when baseline tone was increased with U-46619, and under elevated tone conditions Y-27632 produced similar percent decreases in pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures. Injections of Y-27632 prevented and reversed the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstrictor response. The increase in pulmonary arterial pressure in response to ventilation with a 10% [O.sub.2]-90% [N.sub.2] gas mixture was not well maintained during the period of hypoxic exposure. Treatment with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitor nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) increased pulmonary arterial pressure and prevented the decline or fade in the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstrictor response. The hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstrictor response was reversed by Y-27632 in control and in L-NAME-treated animals. The Rho kinase inhibitor attenuated increases in pulmonary arterial pressures in response to intravenous injections of serotonin, angiotensin II, and Bay K 8644. Y-27632, sodium nitrite, and BAY 41-8543, a guanylate cyclase stimulator, decreased pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures and vascular resistances in monocrotaline-treated rats. These data suggest that Rho kinase is involved in the regulation of baseline tone and in the mediation of pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses. The present data suggest that the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstrictor response is modulated by the release of NO that mediates the nonsustained component of the response in the anesthetized rat. These data suggest that Rho kinase and NOS play important roles in the regulation of vasoconstrictor tone in physiological and pathophysiological states and that monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension can be reversed by agents that inhibit Rho kinase, generate NO, or stimulate soluble guanylate cyclase. pulmonary vasodilation; systemic vasodilation; hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction; nitric oxide release; BAY 41-8543 doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00181.2009.

It has been reported that sodium nitrite (NaN[O.sub.2]) can act as a storage form of nitric oxide (NO) that can have beneficial pharmacologic actions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of NaN[O.sub.2] on erectile function in the rat. The intracavernosal (i.c.) injection of NaN[O.sub.2] produced dose-related increases in i.c. pressure and decreases in systemic arterial pressure. NaN[O.sub.2] was 1000-fold less potent than sodium nitroprusside in increasing i.c. pressure. Increases in i.c. pressure in response to NaN[O.sub.2] were attenuated by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-nitro-larginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The increases in i.c. pressure in response to NaN[O.sub.2] were not altered by the xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor allopurinol. The decreases in systemic arterial pressure in response to i.c. injections of NaN[O.sub.2] were attenuated by allopurinol and were either unchanged or increased by L-NAME. These data suggest that NaN[O.sub.2] is converted to vasoactive NO in the corpora cavernosum and systemic vascular bed of the rat by different mechanisms. The present data suggest that the conversion of NaN[O.sub.2] to vasoactive NO is mediated by NOS in the corpora cavernosum and by xanthine oxidoreductase in the systemic vascular bed of the rat. These data show NaN[O.sub.2] can serve as a NO donor that increases erectile activity in the rat. Key words: sodium nitrite, nitric oxide, intracavernosal, erectile dysfunction, eNOS, xanthine oxidoreductase, vasodilator. Des etudes ont indique; que le nitrite de sodium (NaN[O.sub.2]) pourrait agir comme une forme de reserve de monoxyde d'azote (NO) ayant des actions pharmacologiques beneefiques. La presente etude a eu pour but d'examiner les effets du NaN[O.sub.2] sur la fonction erectile du rat. L'injection intracarverneuse (i.c.) de NaN[O.sub.2] a provoque des augmentations de pression i.c. et des diminutions de pression arteerielle systemique proportionnelles a la dose administree. Le NaN[O.sub.2] aete d'un facteur 1000 moins puissant que le nitroprussiate de sodium pour ce qui est d'augmenter la pression i.c. Les augmentations de pression i.c. en reponse au NaN[O.sub.2] ont ete attenueees par l'inhibiteur de la monoxyde d'azote synthase (NOS), N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), et n'ont pas ete modifiees par l'inhibiteur de la xanthine oxydoreductase, allopurinol. Les diminutions de pression arterielle systemique en reponse aux injections i.c. de NaN[O.sub.2] ont ete attendes par l'allopurinol,et n'ont pas ete modifiees ou ont ete augmenteees par L-NAME. Ces resultats donnent a penser que le NaN[O.sub.2] est converti en NO vasoactif dans le corps caverneux et dans le lit vasculaire systemique du rat par des meecanisme differents. Ils laissent supposer que la conversion du NaN[O.sub.2] en NO vasoactif est vehiculee par NOS dans le corps caverneux et par la xanthine oxydoreductase dans le lit vasculaire systemique du rat. Enfin, ils montrent que le NaN[O.sub.2] peut agir comme un donneur de NO qui augmente l'activite erectile chez le rat. Mots-cles: nitrite de sodium, monoxyde d'azote, intracaverneux, dysfonction erectile, eNOS, xanthine oxydoreductase, vasodilatateur. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common multifactorial disorder in which the male cannot achieve or maintain a penile erection adequate for sexual relations. Although ED is classified as a [...]

Recent studies show that pulmonary vasodilator responses to nitrite are enhanced by hypoxia. However, the mechanism by which nitrite is converted to vasoactive nitric oxide (NO) is uncertain. In the present study, intravenous injections of sodium nitrite decreased pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures and increased cardiac output. The decreases in pulmonary arterial pressure were enhanced when tone in the pulmonary vascular bed was increased with U-46619. Under elevated tone conditions, decreases in pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures in response to nitrite were attenuated by allopurinol in a dose that did not alter responses to the NO donors, sodium nitroprusside and diethylamine/NO, suggesting that xanthine oxidoreductase is the major enzyme-reducing nitrite to NO. Ventilation with a 10% [O.sub.2] gas mixture increased pulmonary arterial pressure, and the response to hypoxia was enhanced by [N.sup.G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and not altered by allopurinol. This suggests that NO formed by the endothelium and not from the reduction of plasma nitrite modulates the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstrictor response. Although intravenous injections of sodium nitrite reversed pulmonary hypertensive responses to U-46619, hypoxia, and [N.sup.G]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, the pulmonary vasodilator response to nitrite was not altered by ventilation with 10% [O.sub.2] when baseline pulmonary arterial pressure was increased to similar values in animals breathing room air or the hypoxic gas. These data provide evidence that xanthine oxidoreductase is the major enzyme-reducing nitrite to vasoactive NO, and that this mechanism is not modified by hypoxia. nitric oxide; xanthine oxidoreductase; pulmonary hypertension; nitric oxide synthase

The small GTP-binding protein Rho and its downstream effector, Rho-kinase, are important regulators of vasoconstrictor tone. Rho-kinase is upregulated in experimental models of pulmonary hypertension, and Rho-kinase inhibitors decrease pulmonary arterial pressure in rodents with monocrotaline and chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. However, less is known about responses to fasudil when pulmonary vascular resistance is elevated on an acute basis by vasoconstrictor agents and ventilatory hypoxia. In the present study, intravenous injections of fasudil reversed pulmonary hypertensive responses to intravenous infusion of the thromboxane receptor agonist, U-46619 and ventilation with a 10% [O.sub.2] gas mixture and inhibited pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to intravenous injections of angiotensin II, BAY K 8644, and U-46619 without prior exposure to agonists, which can upregulate Rho-kinase activity. The calcium channel blocker isradipine and fasudil had similar effects and in small doses had additive effects in blunting vasoconstrictor responses, suggesting parallel and series mechanisms in the lung. When pulmonary vascular resistance was increased with U-46619, fasudil produced similar decreases in pulmonary and systemic arterial pressure, whereas isradipine produced greater decreases in systemic arterial pressure. The hypoxic pressor response was enhanced by 5-10 mg/kg iv nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and fasudil or isradipine reversed the pulmonary hypertensive response to hypoxia in control and in L-NAME-treated animals, suggesting that the response is mediated by Rho-kinase and L-type [Ca.sup.2+] channels. These results suggest that Rho-kinase is constitutively active in regulating baseline tone and vasoconstrictor responses in the lung under physiological conditions and that Rho-kinase inhibition attenuates pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to agents that act by different mechanisms without prior exposure to the agonist. Rho-kinase pathway; [Ca.sup.2+] sensitization; pulmonary vascular bed; U-46619; isradipine; hypoxia; nitro-L-arginine methyl ester

The small GTP-binding protein and its downstream effector Rho kinase play an important role in the regulation of vasoconstrictor tone. Rho kinase activation maintains increased pulmonary vascular tone and mediates the vasoconstrictor response to nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibition in chronically hypoxic rats and in the ovine fetal lung. However, the role of Rho kinase in mediating pulmonary vasoconstriction after NO synthesis inhibition has not been examined in the intact rat. To address this question, cardiovascular responses to the Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil were studied at baseline and after administration of an NO synthesis inhibitor. In the intact rat, intravenous injections of fasudil cause dose-dependent decreases in systemic arterial pressure, small decreases in pulmonary arterial pressure, and increases in cardiac output. L-NAME caused a significant increase in pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures and a decrease in cardiac output. The intravenous injections of fasudil after L-NAME caused dose-dependent decreases in pulmonary and systemic arterial pressure and increases in cardiac output, and the percent decreases in pulmonary arterial pressure in response to the lower doses of fasudil were greater than decreases in systemic arterial pressure. The [Ca.sup.++] entry blocker isradipine also decreased pulmonary and systemic arterial pressure in L-NAME-treated rats. Infusion of sodium nitroprusside restored pulmonary arterial pressure to baseline values after administration of L-NAME. These data provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that increases in pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance following L-NAME treatment are mediated by Rho kinase and [Ca.sup.++] entry through L-type channels, and that responses to L-NAME can be reversed by an NO donor. HA-1077; Rho kinase pathway; [Ca.sup.++] sensitization; pulmonary vascular bed; sodium nitroprusside; isradipine; [N.sup.[omega]]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester

This study assessed the post-treatment status of urogenital schistosomiasis among school-aged children in Erin Osun in Osun State, Nigeria. Atotal of 357 children from five elementary schools that had participated in the Osun State Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O-MEALS Programme) and received praziquantel as part of the deworming programme were examined for the study. Urine samples were collected and tested for microhaematuria and proteinuria using urinalysis reagent strips. The urine samples were further examined for Schistosoma haematobium ova. Asnail survey was conducted in the River Awesin at the water contact points in the community. Out of the 357 participants examined, (4.2%) had S. haematobium infection; males had a higher prevalence (5.5%) than females (2.9%). Christ Apostolic Church Elementary School had the highest (7.2%) prevalence of infection while Ansar-Ud-Deen ‘A’Elementary School had the least prevalence (1.5%). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the prevalence between gender and between schools. The highest prevalence was recorded among children of age group 13-15years (20.0%) while the least was among the age group 5-8years, and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of infection between age groups (p < 0.05). The overall geometric mean intensity of infection was 1.14 eggs/10mls of urine. There was a high (52.9%) prevalence of proteinuria. However, 47.1% of the participants had no proteinuria, 43.7% had 1+ amount (0.3 g/L) and 1.9% had 3+ amount (5.0 g/L). The low prevalence (4.2%) and intensity (1.14 eggs/10ml) of S. haematobium infection, in this study, suggest a positive impact of the O-Meals programme, which used Praziquantel twice a year to treat the pupils. No snail intermediate host of S. haematobium was encountered during the survey. Continuous drug administration with the feeding initiative and provision of safe drinking water in the community will help sustain the current level of control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible insects are a good source of protein, minerals and vitamins. This study investigated the acceptability and economic viability of edible insects within the three ecological zones, in south-western, Nigeria. Six hundred (600) structured questionnaires were administered among the habitants of the selected ecological zones on the acceptability, economic benefits and types of edible insects. The data collected were statistically analysed. The insects identified were: Macrotermes bellicosus, Brachytrypes spp, Oryctes boas (larvae), Zonocerous variegatus, Apis mellifera, Anaphe recticulata, Rhynchophorus phoenicis (Lavae and Adult), Oryctes boas (Adult). Ondo in Derived Savannah has the highest diversity of 0.99 while M. bellicosus recorded the highest dominance per species. The insects were mostly fried (38.5%) before consumption. In terms of distribution, there is an abundance of Oryctes boas (37.6%) in Ogun (lowland rainforest) while there was a higher occurrence of O. boas larvae (17.6%) in Oyo State (Derived Savannah). The most acceptable edible insect within the ecological zones studied was M. bellicosus (51.9%). On the economic viability of insects, 22.3% of the respondents strongly agreed that the insects are in very high demand, 40.5% believed that the cost required to produce them is not much in regards to the benefits derived from them. Some of the respondents (38.9%) strongly agreed that insects act as an excellent source of proteins. This research has shown that people are practicing Entomophagy which should be further encouraged by the government to serve as an alternative source of protein and for income generation since they can be afforded by the masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ruminant's digestion depends on microbial degradation of feed rather than endogenous enzyme degradation as in most monogastric animals. The study was conducted to assess the effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains administered as direct-fed microbials on weight gain and ruminal pH of Damara and Meatmaster sheep breeds. Sixty-four Damara and Meatmaster sheep breeds [Damara males (36.6 ± 8.3 kg); Damara females (28.9 ± 6.9 kg); Meatmaster males (24.6 ±3.4 kg); Meat master females (21.5±3.1 kg)] were subjected to a 30-day trial and divided into five treatment groups as follows: pellets with no antibiotic and no probiotics administered (Tl); pellets with no antibiotics, only Lactobacillus rhamnosus SCH administered (T2); pellets with no antibiotics, only Lactobacillus rhamnosus AF3G administered (T3); pellets with no antibiotics, with the combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus SCH and Lactobacillus rhamnosus AF3G, administered (T4); pellets fortified with antibiotic and no probiotic administered (T5). The animals were fed on commercial pellets fortified with or without antibiotics. Animals were each weighed, and rumen fluids were collected using a stomach tube, and pH was read immediately, before and at the end of the trials. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS version 4.0. The results showed that the effect of treatment, sex and some of their interactive effects were significant (p <0.001) on the body weight of sheep irrespective of breed. The effect of treatments revealed that the animals in the combination of probiotics gained more weight than those in other groups. Damara breed had a heavier body weight than Meatmaster while males were 6 kg heavier relative to females (p <0.001). Only breed was significant (p <0.05) on weight gained. Treatment (p <0.05), breed (p <0.001) and their interactive effect (p <0.05) were significant on ruminal pH. The highest pH value was 7.27 for the T5 group and 7.37 for the Damara breed. Results suggest that LAB may have beneficial effects on the growth performances of sheep and therefore may be suitable as future growth promoters in sheep production, as they don't have any harmful residues compared to antibiotics.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]