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In: Maddela, N.R., Rodriguez Diaz, J.M., Branco da Silva Montenegro, M.C., Prasad, R. (eds) Microbial Processes for synthesizing Nanomaterials. Environmental and Microbial Biotechnology.
No full textThe present chapter addresses synthesis of microbial nanomaterial, types, and applications. Nanomaterials can be made by combustion processes or can be purposely synthesized through scientific or engineering innovation to execute specific function. Production of nanomaterials through biogenic enzymatic processes has better quality compared to its counterpart produced via chemical processes. The biosynthesis of nanostructures involves a variety of biomolecules, including secondary metabolites, carbohydrates, and proteins released by different microbes. Extracellular polysaccharides aid the reduction of various metal ions and the stability of metal nanoparticles because proteins in bacterial membranes are crucial for titrating metal ions. Terpenoids and flavonoids, which are organic molecules, are efficient at stabilizing and sealing nanomaterials, which affect their overall composition, size, and form. Additionally, algae species and morphological diversity influence the secretion of nanostructures. Nanomaterials occupy a large surface area per volume ratio due to the arrangement of nanoscale size that contributed to their structures, together with indistinguishable proportions to biomolecules which enhance distinctive properties for numerous usages. Microbiologically produced nanomaterials offer a wide range of potential uses in a variety of industries, including agriculture, coatings, cosmetics, packaging, food, beverages, drug deliveries, bioremediation, biomedicine, diagnostics, and electronics production. Actually, scientists have started paying attention to this technology since the resulting nanoparticles displayed unique characteristics such as biocompatibility, a larger range of uses, cost-effective production techniques, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, a variety of natural biological resources, including plants, algae, fungi, actinomycetes, bacteria, viruses, and even secondary microbial metabolites, are utilized to manufacture nanoparticles
Phytochemicals and Anticancer Activity of Methanol Extract of Trigonella foenum-greacum Seed on Breast Cancer Cell Lines
No full textThis study was aimed to examine the anticancer potential of Trigonella foenum-greacum seed methanol extract by analyzing its phytochemicals and its breast cancer cells effects. The anti-cancer efficacy of the extract was tested on fibroblast cells and MCF-7 through various cellular assays, including apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species, cell cycle distribution, and cell cytotoxicity assay were all investigated. By using GC-MS analysis, fifty-five bioactive compounds were identified in the extract. When the cancer cell lines were treated with the extract, the typical apoptotic morphology was observed, this resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of cancer cell migration and adhesion. Flow cytometry studies revealed that the extract significantly induced apoptosis by triggering a change from G2/M to polyploidy (>G) at greater doses. Furthermore, the extract increased mitochondrial depolarization and ROS levels. This study demonstrates the extract's anti-cancer properties and highlights the need for further analysis to understand how Trigonella foenum-greacum seed extract induces program cell death through multiple signaling pathways at varying concentrations
Bacteriological Evaluation of Semen Samples among Male Patients Attending a Tertiary Hospital in North-Central, Nigeria.
No full textBacterial pathogen in semen is a productive health disorder emerging as a global serious medical and social issues that has much trauma, emotional instability and psychological stress of the affected individuals, this can be accessed by the quality and quantity of sperm cells as well as its structure. This research was carried out to detect bacteria pathogen in semen samples among male patients attending Bwari General Hospital Abuja. Semen samples from fifty (50) men were collected in sterile bottles for chemical and bacteriological analysis. A loopful of semen samples was inoculated immediately onto blood, chocolate and MacConkey agar immediately with the aid of a sterile wireloop for microbiological examination while the remainder was allowed to liquefy at 37oC for thirty minutes and was examined macroscopically for the following; appearance, volume, viscosity; and microscopically for the following; leucocytes, motility, sperm count and sperm morphology. The morphological sperm characteristics were studied by simple microscopy. Samples were cultured and bacteria isolates were molecularly characterized. Bacteria growth was positive for 37/50(74%) samples and negative for 13/50(26%) samples. The patients’demographical study was taken, statistically the age group between 41-50 years have the lowest prevalence rate of the infection. The younger age group and farmers have the highest rate of infection as compared to other occupation. Enterococcus faecalis, Lysinibacillus macrolides and Bacillus fusiformis with GenBank Accession number FJ378657.2, KX129780.1 and AY548954.1 respectively were molecularly identified. These organisms were previously mistaken for Staphylococcus aureus,
Escherichia coli and Proteus species respectively. These bacteria showed a drastic effect on semen quality which could lead to infertility. Routine check up and personal hygiene is highly recommended as a control measure.Ni
Seroprevalence and molecular characterization of Hepatitis B Virus isolated from HIV patients attending referral center in Abuja Acc
No full textThe co-infection of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) with the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the major challenges in the
management of HIV. Both viral infections are among the clinical
conditions of public health importance with high mortality and
morbidity worldwide, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.
They share common route of transmission which puts HIV positive
individuals at risk of co-infection. It is therefore, necessary to document
the molecular epidemiological dynamics of HBV among HIV patients in
HIV referral center in Abuja, Nigeria. Using stratified random sampling,
200 HIV infected individuals on Antiretroviral Therapy ART were
sampled in a referral center in Abuja, Nigeria and were evaluated for
HBV using Rapid Test Device (RTD) strip for HBsAg, HBV Combo Rapid
Test Cassette 5 Panel HBV. HBV and HIV viral DNA and RNA were
extracted and characterized genotypically for HBV genotype A, B, C, D, E,
and F specific genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by
sequencing. Obtained sequences were edited using the bioinformatics
software. The overall prevalence of HBV among the study population
was 10.0% (20/200), 15.0% (30/200), and 20.0% (40/200), for RTD
strip, RTD HBV cassette and PCR, respectively. The genotypic
characterization is HBV genotype E. Based on the study; the genotypic
characterization is 100% of the study population. Gender, occupation,
marital status, level of education and place of residence were the risk
determinants of HBV among study population. The relatively high
prevalence of HBV/HIV coinfection and the presence of circulating HBV
genotype E has provided important epidemiological information on the
molecular characteristics of HBV in HIV-infected in Nigeria, and this has
important clinical relevance in the management of HBV/HIV co
infection. Also, PCR has proven to be the most sensitive technique in the
diagnosis of HBV. The findings of this research confirm that HBV is a
major co-morbid infection and a threat to HIV patients. The PCR is the
best method of diagnosis. The health sector, federal and state ministry of
health should improve in providing PCR machines, creating awareness
and vaccinating the populace against HBV to reduce the prevalence of
these infections.Self Sponsore
The Efficiency of the Proposed Smoothing Method over the Classical Cubic Smoothing Spline Regression Model with Autocorrelated Residual
No full textSpline smoothing is a technique used to filter out noise in time series observations when predicting nonparametric regression models. Its performance depends on the choice of the smoothing parameter. Most of the existing smoothing methods applied to time series data tend to over fit in the presence of autocorrelated errors. This study aims to determine the optimum performance value, goodness of fit and model overfitting properties of the proposed Smoothing Method (PSM), Generalized Maximum Likelihood (GML), Generalized Cross-Validation (GCV), and Unbiased Risk (UBR) smoothing parameter selection methods. A Monte Carlo experiment of 1,000 trials was carried out at three different sample sizes (20, 60, and 100) and three levels of autocorrelation (0.2, 05, and 0.8). The four smoothing methods' performances were estimated and compared using the Predictive Mean Squared Error (PMSE) criterion. The findings of the study revealed that: for a time series observation with autocorrelated errors, provides the best-fit smoothing method for the model, the PSM does not over-fit data at all the autocorrelation levels considered ( the optimum value of the PSM was at the weighted value of 0.04 when there is autocorrelation in the error term, PSM performed better than the GCV, GML, and UBR smoothing methods were considered at all-time series sizes (T = 20, 60 and 100). For the real-life data employed in the study, PSM proved to be the most efficient among the GCV, GML, PSM, and UBR smoothing methods compared. The study concluded that the PSM method provides the best fit as a smoothing method, works well at autocorrelation levels (ρ=0.2, 0.5, and 0.8), and does not over fit time-series observations. The study recommended that the proposed smoothing is appropriate for time series observations with autocorrelation in the error term and econometrics real-life data. This study can be applied to; non – parametric regression, non – parametric forecasting, spatial, survival, and econometrics observations.Sel
An Appraisal of the Tax Regime in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, Journal of Law and Policy
No full textThe revenue generated from the taxes paid by the petroleum companies in Nigeria is a major source of income powering the Nigeria economy. Over the year in its bid to regulate the petroleum industry the Nigeria government has enacted various tax laws including the recently enacted Petroleum Industry Act 2021 all with the sole purpose of generating more revenue for the state. The federal government of Nigeria on whom the Nigerian constitution vests ownership and control of mining of petroleum products in Nigerian uses taxation as one of its tools for the exercise of control over petroleum resources in respect of oil exploration, oil prospecting and mining of the petroleum resources in Nigeria. Taxation of the oil companies in Nigerian is propelled and geared towards ensuring that government generates enough revenue for the provision of the needed infrastructures and basic amenities to the Nigeria citizens. This article analysed the legal tax regime operating in the petroleum industry in Nigeria. It outlined and discussed the challenges faced by the government in administrating the taxes in the petroleum industry. It took into cognizance the instance that led to inadequate revenue generation on the part of the government, which is occasioned by multiple loopholes, inherent in our various tax laws which are usually exploited by the companies liable to taxes under them. It also discussed the various tax incentives available to the companies operating in the petroleum sector in Nigeria to encourage them to invest more of their resources and profits in Nigeria. The various tax statutes regulating taxation in the petroleum industry in Nigeria and other legal materials were also discussed. An in-depth analysis and reviews of the relevant provisions of the tax statutes and the legal materials consulted revealed. that the tax statutes were inadequate to address the tax needs of Nigeria for the generation of adequate revenue to fund its economy. We were able to observe that the tax statutes as they currently exist leave a lot of room for tax avoidance and tax evasion leading to low revenue generation by the tax authorities from the oil industry. The article is also of the view that multiple tax regimes in the petroleum industry in Nigeria have greatly contributed to tax avoidance and tax evasion and recommended that there is a need for a single enactment (legislation) ta harmonize all the tax regimes in the petroleum industry in Nigeria
Production, Optimization and Partial Purification of Bacterial and Fungal Proteases for Animal Skin Dehairing: A Sustainable Development in Leather Production.
No full textCrude microbial protease was produced from Bacillus subtilis KM5B and Aspergillus flavus KMAF1 after their 16S/18S rDNA molecular identification with 99.59 % and 98.99 % respectively through solid state fermentation in a medium containing hair, feathers and agro wastes. The crude protease after optimization had an optimum production with Bacillus subtilis of 35 mm, enzyme activity of 123.2 U/mL at 35 °C, pH 8.0 for 48 h while A. flavus recorded 18 mm and an enzyme activity of 122.1 U/ml at 30C, pH 7.0 for 120 h. The percentage protease recovery for the B. subtilis and A. flavus were 71.5 % and 94.8 %, fold purification at 1.5 and 2.0, total protein was 107.90 mg and 150.60 mg, enzyme activity was 125.06 U/ml and 122.01 U/ml, and specific activity was 1.159 U/mg and 0.81 U/mg respectively. Therefore, protease from the two organisms have potential to dehair animal skins in tanneries industries to improve the quality of leather without environmental pollution
Peaceful Co-Existence in a Multi-Religious Society: Islam and Christianity Perspectives
No full textIt is estimated that the population of the adherents of the two most popular Abrahamic religions, Islam and Christianity, accounts for more than half of the world population, and over 80 percent of what is said in the media about religion refers to Muslims and Christians, while majority of intra and inter faith fracas is traced to the two religions. Sadly, these two religions seem to have been scrambling to “outdo” each other. The onus of playing it safe thereby lies with their followers who are expected to learn to tolerate each other and go about their Da’wah (invitation to faith) and Evangelical activities in such a way that peace and security of the entire human race is not jeopardised. This paper discusses peaceful co-existence in the two religions by plying memory lane to promote tolerance and peaceful co-existence laid down by the two religions so as to serve a roadmap for the faithful to give peace a chance and live together in peace with their neighbours
Vermicompost-assisted phytoremediation of toxic trace element-contaminated soil in Madaka, Nigeria using Melissa officinalis L and Sida acuta
No full textThe aim of this study was to clean up toxic element polluted soil in Madaka, Niger State, Nigeria. Standard techniques were used to determine the soil physicochemical properties. To aid the plants (Melissa officinalis L and Sida acuta) during the remediation process, standard methods were used to make chicken dropping vermicompost and goat manure vermicompost. M. officinalis L mopped up toxic elements in the first location (Angwan Kawo), with concentrations of cadmium, arsenic, and lead ranging from 0.007 to 0.33 mg/kg, 0.09 to 4.39 mg/kg, and 0.07 to 10.35 mg/kg, respectively, while toxic elements, cadmium, arsenic, and lead in S. acuta, ranged from 0.002 to 0.43 mg/kg, 0.27 to 3.79 mg/ kg, and 1.68 to 10.7 mg/kg, respectively. The two plants mopped up toxic elements at different rates in the second location of the polluted soil (Angwan Magiro). Cadmium, arsenic, and lead concentrations in M. officinalis L ranged from 0.03 to 0.41 mg/kg, 0.65 to 4.65 mg/kg, and 1.93 to 11.49 mg/kg, respectively, while toxic element concentrations in S. acuta ranged from 0.06 to 0.66 mg/kg, 0.68 to 4.64 mg/kg, and 1.53 to 11.53 mg/kg, respectively. Melissa officinalis L and Sida acuta were found to be the most suitable plants for phytoextraction of toxic element-contaminated sites because their bioconcentration factor, translocation factor, and biological accumulation coefficient were all greater than one (> 1), and both plants had bioconcentration and translocation factor < 1; they were also classified as phytostabilizers. As a result, the plants could be used to clean up Madaka soil polluted with toxic element
Prevalence of Tuberculosis and its association with Diabetes Mellitus in a Rural Community in Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria
No full textTuberculosis (TB) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) are communicable and non-communicable diseases of public health importance globally with the highest burden occurring in low-income countries like Nigeria. Diabetes Mellitus is one of the risk factors to Tuberculosis and co-infection with TB/DM increases the mortality and morbidity rate of both infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was focused on the prevalence of Tuberculosis and its association with diabetes Mellitus in Jahi 1 village, a rural Community in Federal Capital Territory Abuja.This study was conducted in two hundred male and female participants between the ages of 10-70 years among the residents of Jahi 1 randomly selected. Participants were screened for active TB and DM using the following methods; for TB, symptoms screening (those who have been coughing for more than two weeks), serological method using one step TB cassette Rapid Test Device (RTD)(Skytec, USA) and GeneXpert; for DM the glucose oxidase method (Randox, UK). Participants blood pressure check (BP) was estimated using Omron automated Bp apparatus. The Direct Cynamethemoglobin method was used for participants Haemoglobin estimation. Data were analyzed statistically using Graphpad prism version 7.Among the 200 participants screened, the active TB prevalence was 2.0% (4/200)usingRTD method and 3% (6/200) with GeneXpert method. The mean glucose level for participants with symptoms was ± 19.5mmol, the mean glucose level for participants without symptoms was± 4.9mmol/l. Of the 6 prevalent TB cases, 33% (n = 2; 95% CI; 20-30 years) had no TB symptoms, and 67% (n = 4; 95% CI 40–70) wereco–infected with DM. Out of the 4(67%) positive with TB-DM, 1(25%) had anemia and hypertension.The prevalence of active TB in that rural community is 2-fold lower than the nation’s prevalence of TB but DM patients were the most affected. GeneXpert yielded more sensitive result than the serological method, therefore, its practice should be highly encouraged by the government as it is very expensive. Hypertension and anemia could be risk factors to TB, subject to further investigation. Routine community-based TB screening of both rural and urban communities at least at 6 months interval will help achieve the End TB Strategy milestone of 20% reduction