Asian Journal of Research in Biosciences
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Characterization of Bacterial Pathogens and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile, from Inanimate Surfaces in Tertiary Care Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan
Get PDFAim: To isolate, identify and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the bacterial pathogens from inanimate surfaces of hospital which contributes to hospital acquired infections.
Methods: A total of 80 samples, including 20 from each unit (surgical ward, Medical ward, ICU and Operation Theater) were aseptically collected from different surfaces. Isolation and identification were made on the basis of different bacteriological media and biochemical tests. API 10 S (Biomerieux France) kits were used for the identification of gram negative bacteria. Antimicrobials susceptibility was performed according to Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.
Findings: Over all prevalence of culture positive samples were (75%) from which 9 different bacterial strains were isolated. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus is (68%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (28%), Streptococcus agalactaie (1.6%), Enterococcus faecalis (1.6%), Escherichia coli (3.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.6%), Enterobacter aerogenes (1.6%) Serratia marcescens (1.6%). Prevalence rate of MRSA was 21.8%. 50% of Gram negative isolates were resistant to Cefotaxime, 50% to Meropenem, 40% to Amoxicillin, 40% Nitrofurantoin, 50% to Polymyxin B. 100% of the gram negative isolates were sensitive to Fosfomycin and Ciprofloxacin.
Conclusion: The hospital inanimate surfaces are heavily contaminated with resistant pathogenic bacteria which can be a potential source of hospital acquired infections. Attention is required for proper decontamination method to avoid the possible dissemination to the patients and hospital staff
Response of Some Microorganisms, Earthworms and Snails to Pesticides (Carbofuran and Paraquat) under Tropical Conditions
Get PDFAim: to determine the response of microorganisms, earthworms and snails to pesticides under tropical conditions.
Study Design: soil experiment with a controlled lighting system of 12 hour of light and 12 hour of darkness was adopted.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria/three months.
Methodology: Acute effect of pesticides on earthworms and snails was assessed using a 14 day soil bioassay test as recommended by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Effect of pesticides application on microorganisms in soil was evaluated via standard microbial counts.
Results: Toxicity of Carbofuran to the earthworms and snails was higher relative to Paraquat with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 10.7 mg/kg; 159571 mg/kg (earthworms) and 23.22 mg/kg; 759000mg/kg (snails), respectively. Microbial counts increased in pesticides treated soil after the initial decline in numbers. Total heterotrophic bacterial counts in Carbofuran and Paraquat treated soils increased from 1.59 × 106 CFU/g to 2.41 × 106 CFU/g and 1.46 × 106 CFU/g to 2.08 × 106 CFU/g, respectively for day 14 to 21. A reverse trend was observed in control soil. Fungal counts increased in Carbofuran (1.18 × 105 CFU/g to 1.42 × 105 CFU/g); Paraquat (1.53 × 105 CFU/g to 1.79 × 105 CFU/g) from day 14 to day 21. Actinomycetes counts were in magnitude of 104 CFU/g soil for both Carbofuran and Paraquat treated soils, while population of phosphate solubilizers and nitrifiers were in 105 CFU/g soil.
Conclusion: Toxicity test estimates the possibility that antagonistic environmental impacts/influence might take place or are taking place due to exposure to sole or additional pesticides. Pesticides had no adverse effects on the microorganisms at recommended field rates. Thus, their use must strictly be based on these recommended rates
Selection on Litter Size at Birth and Correlated Responses in Pre-weaning Litter Traits of Heterogeneous Rabbits in Southern Nigeria
Get PDFMass selection to improve litter size at birth in rabbits will contribute to bridging the protein deficiency gap and improve income for rabbit farmers. The study investigated the effect of mass selection on litter size at birth and the correlated responses in pre-weaning litter traits in mongrel rabbits. One hundred and five female rabbits form a total of one hundred and ninety-six (196) progeny (91 males and 105 females) generated from a mating scheme involving eighteen (18) bucks and forty-eight (48) dams constituted experimental animals for the study. The selection criterion was litter size at birth (LSB). Animals were housed in three-tier hutches and fed with concentrate diet containing 15.81% protein, 2480 kcal energy and 8.22% fiber in the morning and green forages in the evening. Mass selection was performed on the criterion within three generations (FS, F1 and F2). The experiment employed a nested design where dams were nested within sires. Pre-weaning litter traits studied with the criterion of selection were litter birth weight (LBW), kits birth weight (KBW) and number of kits born alive (NBA). Results revealed that LSB did not significantly (p>0.05) evolve with selection, although numerical improvements were observed. Sire and dam effects were not significant for the criterion. Values noted for LSB were 4.46±0.14, 4.48±0.15, 4.50±0.11 and 4.51±0.18 kits in FS, F1, F2 and F3 respectively. Realized selection responses per generation were 0.02, 0.02 and 0.01 in FS, F1 and F2 respectively. Responses were less than expected in F2 and F3 generations of selection but similar in F1. The correlated changes in pre-weaning traits were non- significant (p>0.05) but with numerical improvements of 193.82±2.03, 193.38±2.27, 203.79±3.88 and 203.81±3.88 g for LBW and 4.09±0.16, 4.11±0.13, 4.20±0.09 and 4.21±0.17 for NBA but reduction of 43.56±1.16, 43.36±1.41, 42.99±0.65 g for KBW in the three generations respectively. It is concluded from this study that mass selection on litter size at birth (LSB) neither significantly improved the trait nor the pre-weaning traits that were correlated with it. Litter size at birth in heterogeneous rabbits could be genetically improved using other improvement strategies such as cross breeding
A Comparative Analysis of the Nutritional Values of Two Differently Preserved Caterpillar Species (Gynanisa maja and Gonimbrasia zambesina) in Chitambo District, Zambia
Get PDFClimate change due to natural causes and anthropogenic causes edible insects have become more and more popular as alternative food sources. Poses a potential to seriously contribute to food security and poverty alleviation in many developing nations. The study compared the nutritional value of two different methods of preserving edible caterpillars in Chitambo district. The proximate composition and minerals of the caterpillars were determined using standard methods. Data was analysed by an analysis tool Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The moisture content of the caterpillar samples ranged from 8.08% to 13.44% respectively. The study found significant variations in crude fat Chipumi (G. maja) boiled and pressed with a content of 26.62% per 20g and the Mumpa (G. zambesina) roasted and un-pressed with a content of 12.71 % per 20g. For crude fat was recorded higher in treatment with pressed caterpillars and G. maja retain more crude fat than G. zambesina. The species Mumpa (G. zambesina) recorded the highest crude protein content of 30.38% of other treatments included in this study. The highest amount of energy of 26833.43j/g was recorded in Chipumi (G. maja). The mineral content of Mumpa (G. zambesina) was appreciably higher than Chipumi (G. maja). However, the preservation methods had little effect on crude protein and the boiled and pressed caterpillars tend to retain more proteins. The treatment with roasted caterpillars had higher mineral and energy content than the treatment with boiled caterpillars, except for sodium which was higher in boiled treatments due to the addition of the seasoning sodium chloride (salt). The findings suggest that preservation methods affected the nutritional composition of edible caterpillars
A Comparative Study of N-Hexane and Ethanol Extraction in Abeere hunteria umbellata Seed Oil for Assessing Mineral Profiles
Get PDFThis study evaluates the mineral profiles of Abeere Hunteria umbellata seed, oil using N-hexane and ethanol as extraction solvents. Abeere, a lesser-known tropical plant, is traditionally used in African medicinal applications but remains underexplored nutritionally. Minerals such as calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, and phosphorus, essential for various physiological functions, were quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy and other analytical techniques. N-hexane, a non-polar solvent, proved generally more effective in extracting higher concentrations of these minerals compared to ethanol, a polar solvent. The sodium content was significantly higher in N-hexane-extracted oil (128.70 ppm) than in ethanol-extracted oil (104.55 ppm). Similarly, calcium (115.60 ppm vs. 66.45 ppm), potassium (169.40 ppm vs. 93.20 ppm), iron (2.581 ppm vs. 1.627 ppm), and phosphorus (163.91 ppm vs. 93.164 ppm) concentrations were higher in N-hexane-extracted oil. The findings highlight the impact of solvent polarity on extraction efficiency and suggest N-hexane as the preferred solvent for optimizing mineral extraction from Abeere seeds. These insights can guide the development of enhanced extraction techniques for food and nutraceutical applications, addressing nutritional deficiencies and improving dietary quality. This research contributes to the limited literature on Abeere's nutritional potential and supports the use of systematic extraction methods for better nutritional profiling
Evaluation of Protective Potentials of Methanolic Extract of Jatropha tanjorensis against Liver Damage Induced by Paracetamol Overdose
Get PDFThis study investigated the potential of methanolic leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis (MEJT) in alleviating paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Rats were pretreated with MEJT at doses of 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg body weight before exposure to paracetamol. The effects of MEJT were assessed through various parameters, including body weight changes, liver enzyme levels, lipid profiles, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological evaluations. The results demonstrated that paracetamol overdose significantly increased body weight gain percentage, liver-to-body weight ratio, and the activities of serum AST, ALT and ALP as well as concentration of serum bilirubin, indicating liver damage. MEJT pretreatment effectively normalized these parameters, reducing liver enzyme levels and improving lipid profiles. Histological examination revealed that MEJT preserved hepatocyte morphology and mitigated hepatic steatosis and fat infiltration. Additionally, MEJT significantly decreased the percentage of fragmented DNA and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), while restoring normal levels of SOD and GSH and inhibiting Bax expression, suggesting a reduction in oxidative stress and apoptosis. These findings underscore MEJT's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, attributed to its reported flavonoid and tannin contents. The extract's ability to suppress oxidative stress and inflammation highlights its potential as a therapeutic agent for liver diseases. Further research should explore the detailed mechanisms of MEJT's protective effects and its long-term efficacy and safety for clinical use
An Investigation into the Fuel Properties of Ackee Apple (Blighia sapida) Seeds Oil
Get PDFResearch interests in biofuel in Nigeria are primarily driven by the Nigerian Biofuel Policy and Incentives of 2007. Palm oil, one of the agricultural produce suggested for biodiesel production in Nigeria, has food and industry value. Therefore, there is a need to investigate crops/plants that are food and industry neutral. The fuel properties of ackee apple seeds oil were investigated in this study. Using standard test methods, the results revealed that the average density of the ackee apple seeds oil was 789.3 ± 0.12 kg/m3 at 15 0C and the average kinematic viscosity was 4.73 ± 0.12 mm2/s at 40 0C. Compared with those of petroleum-based diesel fuels, the density of the ackee apple seeds oil was slightly lower, while the kinematic viscosity was slightly higher. While ackee apple seeds have appreciable amount of oil (average oil yield was 42.96 ± 0.12 %), its use in the raw form in diesel engines is limited. For ackee apple seeds oil to serve as an alternative fuel in diesel engines, further investigations are needed beyond these initial results
Stem Cell Therapy in Type 1 Diabetic Treatment: Current Advancement and Future Prospective
Get PDFType 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to poor blood sugar regulation. Traditional treatments, like insulin therapy, often struggle to achieve long-term glucose control. Stem cell therapy offers a promising alternative, with the potential to restore beta cell function and provide a permanent solution for managing the disease. This paper aims to explore the role of stem cell therapy, advancements and research findings, potential benefits and challenges associated with this therapy in Type 1 Diabetes treatment. The methodology of this review study have used a combination of experimental studies, clinical trials, and literature reviews to compile the findings. They present data from pre-clinical and clinical studies that demonstrate the capability of stem cells to restore insulin production in animal models, alongside early-phase clinical trials showing potential in human subjects. The finding of this study shows; Stem cell therapy offers promise for treating type 1 diabetes through successful differentiation of various stem cell sources into functional beta cells. Clinical trials have demonstrated positive outcomes, including improved glycemic control and reduced insulin dependency. However, challenges of immune rejection and tumorigenicity require attention. Researchers are actively exploring immune modulation and encapsulation strategies to protect transplanted cells. In conclusion Stem cell therapy for Type 1 diabetes shows promise in creating functional beta cells to improve glucose control and reduce insulin reliance. While challenges like immune rejection and tumor risks remain, future efforts aim to enhance cell functionality and personalize treatments
Molecular Machinery of Malaria Infection: Insights into Host-parasite Interactions and Therapeutic Targets
Get PDFMalaria continues to be a main global health issues, with millions of people affected each year. Understanding the molecular machinery behind malaria infection is crucial for the development of effective therapeutic interventions. This review aims to discuss the lifecycle of the malaria parasite, highlighting the molecular mechanisms of invasion, immune evasion, and sequestration. Furthermore, we delve into the intricate signaling pathways and molecular factors that contribute to malaria-induced immune dysregulation and disease progression. Finally, we explore potential therapeutic targets, including drug resistance mechanisms and novel strategies for intervention. By unraveling the molecular machinery of malaria infection, we hope to provide valuable insights for the development of targeted therapies and the eventual eradication of this devastating disease
Degradative Capability of Microbial Culture, Carrot Peel Waste and Carbon Dot in Remediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon in Soil
Get PDFAim: To determine the degradative capability of microbial culture, carrot peel waste and carbon dot in remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon in soil.
Study Design: Microbial culture (MC), organic (Carbon dot and Carrot peel) amendments were used in stimulating and remediating the impacted soil.
Place and Duration of Studies: Environmental Management and Toxicology, Federal University of Petroleum Resource, Effurun. Nigeria. One Month.
Methodology: Physicochemical parameters were done on theentire samples. Totalcultural heterotrophic bacteria (TCHB) and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB).Isolates were identified using their macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical characteristics. A total of ten bacteria species where identified, three were used as consortium which include,Arthrobacter specie, Pseudomonas species and, Bacillus species. Characterization of the Coconut husk, revealed its authenticity, elemental composition and the peak, it exhibited photoluminescence under the ultra violet fluorescent light. Microbial culture (MC), organic (Carbon dot and Carrot peel) amendments were used in stimulating theimpacted soil.
Results: The total petroleum hydrocarbon for the polluted and control samples was 2018 mg/kg and 0.003 mg/kg respectively. The concentration in polluted sample are 11.62, and 8.50 ( mg/kg) while for control sample are <0.001, and <0.001 ( mg/kg) ..It was observed that within the first and the last week of exposure the values of TPH reduced drastically when used singly and in combination, with microbial culture, Carrot peel and Carbon dot having the insignificant values of (0.028±0.002), CMC (0.044±0.003) and Carrot peel 0.007±0.002).for the combined amendment,TPH was so drastic that it was almost within detectable limitwith concentration C (0.005±0.002),B (0.017±0.002) and A (0.055±0.002) Statistical analysis revealed there was significant difference (at P =05) in organic carbon values with respect to the different amendments.
Conclusion: Studies have showed that using biostimulation and bioaugumentation is a good practice for cleaning up soiled environment, this practice is safe, eco-friendly and cost effective