Journal of Basic and Applied Research in Biomedicine
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Prevalence of Salmonella and Escherichia coli and Associated Risk Factors Among Camel and Bovine Meat Slaughtered at Jigjiga Municipal Abattoir, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia
Get PDFA cross-sectional study involving microbiological analysis was conducted from March 2021 to August 2021 in Jigjiga town to isolating and identifying Salmonella and E. coli from raw meats of camels and bovines slaughtered at the Jigjiga municipal abattoir and assessing possible associated related risk factors for the isolates. A total of 384 examined samples for the presence of Salmonella and E. coli. From the total samples examined, 64 (16.7%) and 44 (11.5%. were found to be E. coli and Salmonella positive respectively. Out of the 199 meat samples taken from camel, 31 (15.6%) and 32 (16.1%) were found positive for Salmonella and E. coli respectively while a total 185 meat samples of bovines, 13 (7%) and 32 (17%) were found positive for Salmonella and E. coli, respectively. In the univariable logistic regression analysis result, Salmonella revealed a statistically significant difference among different ages (OR (CI) = 2.36 (1.195–4.679); p-value = 0.013). The multivariable regression analysis showed there was no statistically significant difference between the two sex groups (OR (CI) = 2.01 (0.892–4.544); p = 0.092). In an univariable logistic regression analysis result, the odds of meat contamination in young-aged animals with E. coli were three times higher than in adult animals, showing a statistically significant difference (OR = 2.83 (1.567–5.095; p = 0.001). The prevalence of E. coli was higher in animals with poor body condition (31.9%), followed by medium (15.5%) and good body-conditioned animals (1.8%). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the odds of contamination of samples with E. coli from poor-body condition animals were 22 times higher than samples taken from good-body condition animals (OR (CI) = 21.8 (5.022 - 95.059); p = 0.000). To prevent cross-contamination of Salmonella and E. coli, hygiene must be improved, standardized procedures, and training programs should be implemented. Further studies on molecular characterization and serotyping of these species are also needed
Bioassay-Guided Isolation of Antimicrobial Compounds from Marine Sponge Neopetrosia exigua
Get PDFThe marine sponge Neopetrosia exigua has shown great potential as a source of bioactive compounds with significant antimicrobial properties. This study applied bioassay-guided fractionation to isolate and evaluate the antimicrobial activities of various compounds from N. exigua collected off the coast of Langkawi Island, Malaysia. Methanol extracts were partitioned into different fractions, with dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) and n-butanol (n-BuOH) fractions exhibiting the most potent antimicrobial activities. Four compounds were isolated: a previously undescribed bisulphate avarol derivative (1), two compounds isolated for the first time from N. exigua isohyrtiosine A (2) and demethylcystalgerone (3) and xestospongien (4), a known compound in N. exigua. The bisulphate avarol derivative (1) showed the most potent antibacterial effect, with the ability to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations as low as 2.6 µg/mL, indicating its potential as a powerful antibacterial agent for drug development. Additionally, it exhibited strong bactericidal activity against Bacillus cereus and fungicidal activity against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Isohyrtiosine A (2), an indole alkaloid, exhibited moderate antimicrobial effects, while xestospongien (4) demonstrated broad-spectrum bacteriostatic activity. Demethylcystalgerone (3), a meroditerpenoid, showed selective activity against Gram-positive bacteria. These findings highlight the potential of N. exigua as a source of novel antimicrobial agents, particularly in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Further research into the mechanisms of action and chemical diversity of sponge-derived compounds could lead to the development of new therapeutic agents for resistant infections
Three Novel Triterpene Glycosides from the Sea Cucumber Stichopus chloronotus with Potent Cytotoxic Activities
Get PDFThis study aimed to isolate the active cytotoxic compounds from Stichopus chloronotus. The isolation process was carried out by using successive separation methods including liquid-liquid partitioning, vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC), size exclusion chromatography, normal and reverse phase chromatography, and HPLC which had been guided by the cytotoxic assay (MTT). The bioassay guided separation technique led to isolation of three new cytotoxic saponins (A, B, and C), which exhibited positive reactions with Liebermann–Burchard reagent. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on the interpretation of their spectra upon analyzing them with various spectroscopic methods including infra-red spectrophotometry (IR), one and two dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), in addition to the positive mode of electrospray mass analysis (+ESI-MS). Based on the analysis, the structures of the isolated compounds were concluded as triterpene glycosides composed of holostane type aglycones attached to various sulphated sugar units. The molecular formula of the glycoside A was suggested as C66 H104Na2O36S2 (calculated molecular weight = 1583.62 Da), B as C66H103Na3O40S3 (MW= 1701.66 Da) and glycoside C as C66H100Na4O43S4 (MW= 1801.69 Da). Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects of the isolated glycosides (A, B, and C) were evaluated against various cancer cell lines and found that the glycoside C (IC 50 = 0.9-2.4 µM) was the most potent cytotoxic glycoside, followed by glycoside B (IC 50 = 1.3-2.9 µM) and A (IC50 = 2.4-7.5 µM). These findings, therefore, present S. chloronotus as a promising source of novel cytotoxic saponins with potent anti-cancer activities that require further research into their modes of action and therapeutic applications
Nanomaterials in Medicine: Advancing Drug Delivery, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics
Get PDFNanomaterials have revolutionized various fields of medicine, providing innovative solutions for drug delivery, diagnostics, vaccines, and regenerative therapies. The aim of this review is to explore the diverse applications of nanomaterials in medicine, highlighting their potential to enhance treatment efficacy, improve patient outcomes, and address complex medical challenges. Through successful applications like Doxil and Abraxane, nanotechnology has demonstrated its ability to improve targeted drug delivery, while lipid nanoparticles have played a pivotal role in the development of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. Nanomaterials offer unique advantages, such as their small size, tunable surface properties, and the ability to cross biological barriers, which enable precision therapies and improved diagnostic sensitivity. However, this review also addresses the challenges associated with nanomaterials, including safety concerns, potential toxicity, long-term biodegradability, and the regulatory hurdles that must be overcome for clinical translation. As researchers work to develop biocompatible and biodegradable materials, new opportunities arise in personalized medicine, stimuli-responsive nanomaterials, and theranostics that combine diagnosis and therapy into a single platform. In conclusion, while nanotechnology in medicine offers immense potential for future medical innovations, addressing safety and regulatory challenges will be crucial for the broader adoption of nanomaterials in clinical practice. This review emphasizes the need for continued research and development to realize the full potential of nanomedicine in improving healthcare outcomes globally
Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Xylopia aethiopica on Selected Haematological Parameters in Wistar Rats
Get PDFPlants do not only serve as a source of food, but, also as a source of shelter, clothing and more importantly as a source of medicines for the treatment of diseases due to their therapeutic virtues. Plants like Xylopia aethiopica otherwise known as Negro pepper or African is used traditionally to treat several diseases and as food and spice in most African countries. It is of public interest to scientifically verify its toxicity and health benefits of this plant. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the administration of the leaves and fruits (with and without seeds) extracts of X. aethiopica on haematological parameters in Wistar Rats. The Wistar rats were administered with 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg of hydro-ethanolic extracts of the leaves, fruits with seeds and fruits without seeds extracts by oral gavage for 30 days, 60 days and 90 days while the control group received feeds and water ad libitum. After the treatment periods, rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and blood collected by cardiac puncture. Full blood count was conducted using Automated Haematology analyser. Data were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. The haemoglobin (Hb) level (p =0.46) and packed cell volume (PCV) (p =0.23) of the rats were not significantly different from controls. But, mean white blood cell count (WBC) (p =0.01) and platelet count (PLT) (p =0.01) were significantly increased in a dose dependent manner after three months’ treatment. The mean WBC was significantly higher amongst the female rats, while mean platelet was higher amongst the male rats when compared with the controls. There was sex dependent increases in WBC and platelet counts among Wistar rats
Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation: Antibiofilm Strategies and conventional methods of evaluation.
Get PDFPseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen known for its ability to form resilient biofilms, which contribute to its persistence in chronic infections and resistance to antimicrobial agents. This review provides a detailed examination of biofilm development stages—attachment, maturation, and dissemination and highlights the role of specific genes in each stage, with a focus on quorum sensing as a key regulatory mechanism governing bacterial communication within biofilms. It also evaluates conventional methods for analyzing P. aeruginosa biofilm phenotypes, discussing their purposes, advantages, and limitations. Accordingly, future research should focus on standardizing protocols, advancing imaging technologies, and targeting biofilm-specific mechanisms. Collaborative efforts across disciplines and translational research will be essential for developing effective therapies. This review aims to deepen our understanding of P. aeruginosa biofilm dynamics and highlight the implications for developing effective therapies against biofilm-associated infections
Seminal Plasma Bisphenol A Concentrations Among Men with Secondary and Primary Infertility
Get PDFBackground: The declining trend of male infertility have been attributed to some factors including environmental, lifestyle behaviors, and dietary habits. Bisphenol A (BPA) which is preponderance in the environment and in various products frequently used has been implicated in male infertility. It is not known whether the seminal fluid BPA concentrations differ among men with primary infertility and secondary infertility. This study was aimed at determining the seminal plasma BPA concentrations among men with secondary infertility and primary infertility and to associated their levels with duration of infertility. Materials and Methods: This was a cross‑sectional study of 145 men clinically diagnosed with primary infertility (n=80) and secondary infertility (n=65), and men with proven fertility (n=60) as controls. Semen analysis was done manually according World Health Organization guidelines and seminal plasma BPA was assayed using an Elisa kit. Chi square and Student’s t-test were used to analyze continuous data and discrete variables respectively. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the association between seminal plasma BPA and duration of infertility, and a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The seminal plasma BPA was significantly higher (p<0.001) among subjects with secondary infertility than those with primary infertility. Sperm count, total motility, progressive motility and normal morphology were lower among secondary infertility than primary infertility, but the mean differences were not significant (p>0.05) except viability which was significantly higher among primary infertility than secondary infertility (p<0.05). The multiple regression model indicates that, the ages of men (OR=3.26 95% CI 2.23-7.26) was independently associated with BPA concentrations among secondary infertility. The finding of higher BPA concentrations in seminal plasma of men with secondary infertility than primary infertility may be associated with age and not duration of marriage
Logic-Based Reverse Analysis: A Covid-19 Surveillance Data Set Classification Problem
Get PDFThis study focuses on the application of formal logic systems to real-world problem-solving, specifically in the classification of the COVID-19 Surveillance Data Set (CSDS). The research introduces the integration of a random three satisfiability problem of Boolean logic into a Hopfield Neural Network (HNN) to obtain an optimal representation of Random kSatisfiability for CSDS classification. The primary goal is to utilize the optimization capabilities of the Lyapunov energy function in the HNN to extract logical relationships and identify significant features contributing to COVID-19 detection. The CSDS used in this study is sourced from the reputable UCI dataset, and the HNN\u27s energy minimization mechanism is employed for logical mining. Computational simulations are performed with varying numbers of clauses to validate the efficacy of the proposed model in training the CSDS for classification purposes. The results showcase the efficiency and robustness of employing reverse analysis using k-satisfiability in conjunction with a Hopfield Neural Network. This approach successfully extracts dominant features related to the logical framework underlying the CSDS. By combining formal logic systems with the power of neural networks, this research offers insights into the correlation between logical rules and COVID-19 detection. The findings contribute to our understanding of how the HNN can effectively learn and classify data, opening avenues for enhanced classification techniques in the healthcare sector and other domains
Microarray Gene Expression Data Generation and Pre-Processing of Moringa Oleifera Leaves for the Improvement of Medicinal Use
Get PDFMoringa oleifera is a plant species belonging to the family name called Moringaceae widely cultivated for human use. This study aimed to generate microarray gene expression data from the leaves of the Moringa oleifera plant and explore the usage of some tools available in the Bioconductor R package for the quality control. Six (6) young Moringa Oleifera leaves (YMOL) samples and six (6) old Moringa oleifera leaves (OMOL) samples were collected from the plant and processed for microarray data generation. Microarray gene expression raw data from the leaves of the Moringa oleifera plants were generated, each in a CEL file format and the usage of some tools available in R programming Bioconductor open source and development software project were explored for the quality control of the data. Affycoretools were installed in the R environment for pre-processing of microarray raw data. AffyQCReport tools were used to generate a comprehensive quality control (QC) report for the microarray unnormalized raw data in PDF format. It is recommended that Gene chip robust multiarray analysis (GCRMA) method can be used for visual inspection, background correction, normalization and summarization of this microarray raw data. The normalized microarray raw data can be used through the genetic engineering to improve the Moringa oleifera plant medicinal values in order to solve some medical problems especially with patients suffering from diabetes and hypertension and also can be of enormous importance in the fields of pharmacy and medicine at large
Antimicrobial Effects of Sansevieria Zeylanica Extracts on Urinary Tract Infection Associated Pathogens Isolated from Students Attending a Tertiary Institution
Get PDFUrinary tract infections usually develop in the lower urinary tract and if not properly treated, they ascend to the upper urinary tract, causing severe damage to the kidneys. Sansevieria zeylenica is a plant known to be rich in phenolic compounds, which may be responsible for its antibacterial activities against Uropathogens.The study was aimed to investigate the antimicrobial effect of Sansevieria zeylenica extracts against isolate of UTI among students attending tertiary institution. A total of two hundred (200) urine samples were randomly collected from the students attending University of Benin into sterile universal containers and analyzed for the detection of Uropathogens using standard microbiological procedure while the leaf and root of Sansevieria zeylenica extraction was carried out with methanol using the Soxhlet apparatus. The antimicrobial activity against the isolates was determined using Agar well diffusion and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts against the isolates was determined using the microdilution method. Of the 200 participants studied, 23 (11.5%) had growth of four bacteria species associated with urinary tract infection; Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The activity of both leaf and root extracts was greater at 200mg/ml against E. coli and P. vulgaris isolates, but at 400mg/ml against S. aureus with Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of the leaf extract as 8mg/ml, 4mg/ml, 8mg/ml, and >16mg/ml against E. coli, S. aureus, P. vulgaris, and P. aeruginosa, respectively. The association of leaf extract and Ampicillin increases the activity of Ampicillin, producing a greater zone of inhibition (26mm) against P. vulgaris compared to Ampicillin alone (21mm) and leaf extract alone (16mm) giving rise to a synergistic effect. Sansevieria zeylanica extracts in this study can control Urinary Tract Infection and may be combined with conventional antibiotics as a treatment for Uropathogens. Though, further investigation would be requiring for the molecular mechanism behind its antibacterial activity