LAND

Protein folding is an important process that allows a long chain of amino acids (called a polypeptide) to form a specific three-dimensional shape needed for it to work properly. This project studies how proteins fold using the energy landscape model, which explains folding as a gradual movement toward the most stable and low-energy shape. By reviewing studies from 2020 to 2025 and comparing examples of amyloid-β, prion, and αsynuclein proteins, the research shows how changes in the folding process can cause proteins to fold incorrectly. When this happens, they may form clumps, leading to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The findings show that protein folding is not random it is guided by chemical interactions, helper molecules called chaperones, and how easily different shapes can form. Misfolding occurs when proteins get stuck in the wrong shape, creating harmful structures. Overall, this study helps explain why protein folding is so important to human health. It also shows how understanding the energy landscape model can help scientists find better ways to prevent or treat diseases caused by misfolded proteins.

This research work was conducted in the University of Benin, Benin City, with the aim to determine plant nutrient status under different land use types within the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from twelve (12) sites, (three each) from four (4) different land use types, namely: Arable land, Fallow land, Grazing land, and Forest land at depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. Soil samples from same land use and same depth were bulked to make composite samples which were taken to the laboratory for analysis using standard procedures. Some of the parameters analyzed for are, the Soil pH, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total Nitrogen (N), Available Phosphorus (P), Exchangeable Acidity, Exchangeable Base (BS), particle size distribution, Electrical conductivity, Potassium (K) calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC). Results showed that the top soils belong to the textural class of loamy sand. Sand content decreased with depth in all land uses while clay content increased with depth. pH was least in arable land, having pH 4.93 and highest in grazing area, having pH 6.2. pH decreased with depth in all land uses except in grazing area, where it increased. TOC, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na and sand content, all had their highest values in the top 15 cm of the soils but decreased down the profile while H, Al, and clay values increased with depth