Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 11 (4), pp. 001-014, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

REVIEW

The Socioeconomic Burden of HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa: Effects on Labor Markets and Productivity 

Franklin Simtowe1* , Kazi Maruful Islam2 and Kinkingninhoun-Medagbe F. M.3

1International Crops Research Institute for the semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa, United Nations Avenue, World Agroforestry Centre, Gigiri. P. O. Box 39063-00623, Nairobi, Kenya.
2Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
3WARDA-The Africa Rice Center, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

Accepted 8 February, 2025

Global estimates of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic as of 2007 shows that about 33 million people are living with HIV, the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The international labor organization (ILO) estimates that at least 23 million workers in the prime labor force (aged15 to 49 years) are infected with HIV. More than 70% of the world’s HIV/AIDS infected population lives in Africa. Within the Africa region, the Southern Africa region has the largest HIV prevalence rate. It is estimated that more than 30% of total world HIV population lives in Southern Africa. In this paper, we analyze the extent to which the HIV/AIDS pandemic impacts the labor markets, productivity and welfare in Southern Africa. We hypothesize that the pandemic can reduce the labor force and productivity, consequently leading to the deterioration in welfare and stagnation of the economy. The analysis finds out that a significant proportion of the labor force has been lost to HIV. In addition to the loss of workers due to AIDS, the cost of caring for AIDS patients is enormous and has resulted into the erosion of productivity and profitability in both the formal and informal sectors. Due to the disproportionate HIV/AIDS prevalence rate between age groups and sex, the pandemic is changing the age and sex distribution of the labor force. The average age of the labor is declining due to the early entry by young and inexperienced people into the labor force. HIV is exerting negative impact on household welfare through the loss of income initially earned by a household member that is a victim of HIV/AIDS, and that through increased medical expenses by the household on the AIDS victim, most of the household income is spent on medication other than other household needs. Some economies in the region are already facing a reduction in economic growth due to the HIV pandemic and it is observed that if efforts to prevent its spread are not intensified, such economies would face stagnation at some point.

Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), labor markets, productivity, welfare.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-003, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on the Structural Integrity of Yeast Cell Walls

Debabrata Das and Giasuddin Ahmed*

Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, Jalukbari, Guwahati – 781014, Assam, India.

Accepted 21 November, 2024

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles are increasingly finding applications in health care and consumer products. Although the bactericidal properties of silver nanoparticles are well documented, there is scant data available on their effect on eukaryotic cells. We report results from experiments concerning the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A novel method of nanoparticle synthesis in yeast malt media was achieved. Characterization of particles by electron microscopy and XRD revealed a mean particle size of 8.6 nm. Micrographs of cells treated with nanoparticles revealed deposition on and extensive damage to cell wall/membranes. Observations on membrane damage were confirmed by an in vitro cell permeability assay.

Keywords: Silver nanoparticle, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Transmission electron microscopy.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Developing High-Resolution Horizontal Native PAGE for Proteins: Implications for Analytical Applications in Biotechnology

Kona Madhavinadha Prasad and Vishal Trivedi¹*

¹Malaria Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati, Guwahati-781039, Assam, India

Accepted 26 October, 2024

Abstract

Horizontal PAGE is used to analyze negatively and positively charged proteins in a single gel. In the current study, we have developed a simple, user friendly and versatile horizontal PAGE apparatus to run native polyacrylamide gel. We have rigorously tested the ability of the gel system to resolve positively and negatively charged proteins or complex biological samples. The native PAGE resolves proteins based on their charge/mass ratio and a linear relationship was observed between migration (Rf) and the mass / charge ratio of different standard test proteins. Analysis of Bacterial lysate on horizontal native PAGE in 1st dimension and vertical SDS-PAGE in 2nd dimension gives discrete spot pattern on gel. In this current form, the 2-D pattern is not complementary to usual 2-D gel (IEF followed by SDS-PAGE) but it is useful to standardize many factors to observe proteome differences. Besides these analytical applications, designed apparatus can be used to purify native proteins in bulk for biochemical characterization, antibody development, activity assay for pilot studies.

Keywords: Protein, Horizontal apparatus, Polyacrylamide gel, Charge, Mass, Electrophoresis.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Extraction of Calcium and Iron Phosphate and the In Vitro Generation of Indoleacetic Acid by Endophytic Strains of Hyptis marrubioides Epling (Lamiaceae)

Luciana Cristina Vitorino*1, Fabiano Guimarães Silva1, Marcos Antônio Soares2, Edson Luiz Souchie1, Alan Carlos Costa1 and William Cardoso Lima2

¹Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Rio Verde
²Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso (UFMT)

Accepted 16 October, 2024

Abstract

Plant growth and development are associated with access to minerals and phytohormones. Some microorganisms solubilize phosphate, producing phytohormones with functional features of plant growth promoters. The capacity of endophytic isolates from the root of Hyptis marrubioides Epling, a Lamiaceae, to solubilize calcium phosphate in GELP medium and iron phosphate in modified Reyes basal medium was characterized. Theability of these isolates to synthesize indoleacetic acid (IAA) in DYGS medium supplemented with tryptophan was also determined. Of the 42 bacterial and six fungal strains analyzed by solubilization assays, 20% formed CaHPO4-solubilization zones, although the level of solubilization was low. None of the fungi tested solubilized CaHPO4. In contrast, 59% of the microorganisms solubilized high levels of FePO4, and all of the fungi demonstrated this capacity. Among the bacterial isolates, 52% synthesized IAA, and strainsRF18, RG9, RF13 and RG24 were notable for their significant production of this phytohormone under test conditions (95.13, 39.28, 16.21 and 11.96 µg·mL-1, respectively). From a biotechnological perspective, the RG9, RG24 and RF18 strains are significant for their solubilization of high levels of FePO4 and abundant IAA production.

Keywords: Solubilization halos, Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms, Indoleacetic acid, Plant growth promoters.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring Cryopreservation Methods for Strychnos pseudoquina A. St. Hil Seeds

Vanisse de Fátima Silva¹, Juliana de Fátima Sales², Fabiano Guimarães Silva², Rafael Cândido Campos³, Adriene de Cássia Branquinho³ e Vânia Aparecida Silva⁴

¹Bolsista DCR CNPq-FAPEG. Laboratório de Sementes – Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano
– Campus Rio Verde. CEP 75900-000. Rio Verde, GO
²Professor do IFGoiano – Campus Rio Verde. [email protected]
³Bolsista de IC do CNPq
⁴Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais, Unidade Regional Epamig Sul de Minas. Caixa Postal 176, CEP

37200-000, Lavras- MG- Brasil

Accepted 16 January, 2024

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of storage in liquid nitrogen at -196°C on Strychnos pseudoquina A. St. Hil. seeds with moisture contents of either 6 or 7%wb subjected to quick thawing (in a water bath at 37°C for 10 minutes) and slow thawing (at room temperature (26°C±2°C) for 2 hours) and then stored for 2, 4, and 6 months. The germination percentage in cryopreserved quina seeds decreased by approximately 12.4% compared to non-cryopreserved seeds (95 to 83.22%), regardless of the moisture content. In cryopreserved seeds with 7% moisture content, the germination percentage of seeds thawed quickly versus slowly differed only for those seeds stored for 2 months; the seeds subjected to fast thawing showed lower germination percentages than those subjected to slow thawing. Quina seed cryopreservation may be viable for seed conservation as germination remained above 80% in all samples.

Keywords: Storage, Germination, Viability.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating Performance and Production Features in Three Bombyx mori Strains Fed a Range of Mulberry Varieties

*R.F Ogunleye and O. Johnson

Department of Zoology, Ekiti State University Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

Accepted 02 October, 2024

Abstract

In this study, Three strains of domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori (L) namely EC1, EJ1 and EJ2 were evaluated for performance in terms of growth and productivity by feeding them with the same variety (S36) of mulberry leaves. Growth performance was based on the length, width and weight of all the developmental stages from the third instar to adult stages. Productivity was based on cocoon weight, shell weight, filament weight and length. Statistical analysis by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5% confidence interval was then used to determine if there were significant differences among the strains. The EJ2 strain showed a higher and consistent growth rates than the other strains for all the developmental stages of the insects. The EC1 strain which was significantly shorter in length and lower in weight than the other strains gave better silk filament for the parameters evaluated.

Keywords: Silkworm strains, performance, productivity, S-36 mulberry.