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We have developed an ELISA that employs monoclonal anti-Toxoplasma SAG1 (p30) as the capture antibody to detect T. gondii circulating antigens in patients' serum samples. Using serum spiked with Toxoplasma soluble and with SAG1 recombinant proteins, the detection limits were 31.25 ng/mL and 62.50 ng/mL, respectively. We obtained positive results in 28% (21/75) and 11% (23/206) of probable active and chronic toxoplasmosis serum samples, respectively. Western blot analysis on pooled antigen-positive serum samples showed antigenic bands of molecular weights 25 and 75 kDa from sera of probable active infection and five antigenic bands ranging in size from 26 to 33 kDa from chronic infection sera. This assay would be useful as an initial serum selection step in developing a Toxoplasma antigen detection test and for characterization studies.

Background and Objective: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) plays a role in the structural stability of soil which governs most soil activities. Stable organic manure such as compost may provide a suitable habitat and energy source for mycorrhizal growth, which is also a benefits in view of soil productivity. The impact of a combination of compost and mycorrhizal on plant growth was assessed in this study. Hence, experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of compost and mycorrhizalon the early growth response of Parkia biglobosa under a greenhouse condition. Materials and Methods: In the greenhouse of the Department of Bioscience, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria. A 2 × 5 factorial experiment in a complete randomized design was conducted; two levels of mycorrhizal (with and without); five levels of compost (10t/ha, 20t/ha, 30t/ha, 40t/ha and no amendments) in two (2) kilogram soil under four (4) replications was set up. Laboratory analyses of soil and organic amendment incorporated in the soil were done. Data on growth variables were taken fortnightly. The data was statistically analyzed and mean were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results: The results showed that, there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the plant height of Parkia biglobosa between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants across all weeks after transplanting (WAT),compost application with the interaction of AMF at 40 t/harecorded the highest plant height and number of leaves at 16WAT with 35.14 cm  and 29.75 respectively, which are relatively comparable to other treatments used, the least plant height  and number of leaves were observed when -AMF 0 t/ha ( control) was used as an amendment with 23.00 cm and AMF 0t/ha (15.05) respectively. For collar diameter, all the treatments were comparable to one another except + AMF 30t/ha which produced the lowest collar diameter with mean value of 2.97mm. Conclusion: Based on the description of results above, it can be concluded that: The Inoculation of the AMF and compost significantly affect the early growth performance of Parkia biglobosa, thus providing optimum soil physical conditions for it growth.

The study investigated the effect of cassava peel on the growth and development of Gmelina arborea seedlings. The treatment was made up of cassava peel applied to top soil at 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g, 6 g, 7 g, 8 g, 9 g, 10 g. The treatments were replicated three times. The treatments were mixed with 20 kg of soil thereby making a total of thirty three (33). The experiment, which lasted eight weeks, was laid out in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) and the following variables were assessed; stem height, stem diameter, leaf length and leaf production. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and mean separation was carried out using Least Significant Difference (LSD). The result obtained showed that treatment 6 g gave the best response in term of number of leaves with mean 16.35 while treatment 2 g had the least performance with mean 6.67. The treatment 3 g of cassava peel performed best in terms of leaf length with mean 18.00 while 10 g and 8 g treatments had the lowest stem diameter of 29 cm. With respect to plant height, the treatment of 6 g of cassava peel application had the best response with plant height of 46.67 cm, while the least value of 20.67 cm was recorded in treatment 8 g. Hence, the control (0 g) has significant difference from treatment 8 g. In all the variables assessed, the control showed close values with treatment 8 g, 9 g and 10 g. The result shows a higher level of significant difference to the control at p < 0.05. However, it is recommended that when raising Gmelina arborea where the traits, plant height and leaves are of importance, 6 g of cassava peel is better adapted. Hence, the plant could be raised in the absence of any treatment where appropriate soil is used.