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Environmental Effect of KPO-Fire in Niger Delta and Future Health Implication
No full textCrude oil discovery and exploration in the Niger Delta of Nigeria which includes Delta, Bayelsa, Abia, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa-Ibom, Imo, Edo and Ondo States of Nigeria, has led to significant economic growth of the nation especially in the creation of job opportunities also the generation of revenue. Unfortunately, Oil thefts have become the idea that replaced the most crisis and agitations in the Niger Delta communities against the perceived neglect of the areas. This had resulted to widespread operation of illegal oil bunkering activities called Kpofire. Kpofire, as described by the Niger deltans, is a process of burning crude oil by illegal oil operatives or thieves at isolated locations called bunkering sites or dumpsites in order to extract refined petroleum products. The design for the extraction of the petroleum products involves the sections of steaming and collection. These sections are connected by a very long pipe. Heat is applied to the steaming section using wood from the mangroves that is called ‘Ngala’ or ‘Agala’, thereafter, crude oil is used. The products extracted are fuel, kerosene and diesel. One of the major problems of Kpofire is the introduction of soot into the environment. Soot is a product is uncontrolled and incomplete combustion or pyrolisis of materials that contain carbon. The highest constituent of soot is the Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The Niger Delta people are faced with daily environmental challenges such as inadequate housing facilities, contaminated drinking water sources, barren lands for agriculture, dead rivers for fishing activities and poor health conditions, soot, which has become a gradual but huge challenge in many Niger Delta communities, has been shown to play a huge role in respiratory, skin, and reproductive health conditions. However, vulnerability is seen more in babies and children (particularly because their respiratory organs are not matured enough), the elderly, and people with preexisting health conditions, also heart or lung diseases (such as asthma). High exposure to PAH at prenatal stages is linked to a low IQ and lead to increased behavioral problems in the early-age child and childhood asthma. A collective effort is needed to put a stop this menace called kpofire in order to avoid environmental pollution thereby endangering the health of the people of Niger Delta. 
Wound Healing Activity of Neocarya macropyhlla Seed Extracts in Wistar Rats
No full textNeocarya macropuylla seed hexane extract (NMSHE) was examined for the presence of various phytoconstituents. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by testing the extract on selected drug resistant bacteria viz: S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and fungi viz: C. albicans, A. niger using agar technique of pour plate and surface plate dilution that were selected based on their peculiarity to humans. Wound healing activity of NMSHE was investigated by formulating a dosage of 5 % and 10 % concentration of the extract in paraffin. 21 wistar rats shared into three groups with each group housing 7 animals each over an experimental period of 21 days were properly fed and given free access to water throughout the experiment that was authenticated by the weight measurement taken every four days. Investigation of the wound healing activity of the extract was performed by measuring the wound area (mm2) and percentage of wound closure on the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 20th day of the study; the wound epitheliasation was determined from the 16th to 20th days. Histopathological analysis of the control and test groups’ skin tissues, liver, kidney, heart, lung and spleen and haematological evaluation of the blood parameters were carried out at the end of the experiment.
The result of the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of terpenoids and glycosides in NMSHE. At 5 % and 10 % concentrations, NMSHE inhibited the growth of E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, B. subtilis, C. albicans and A. niger. Group 2 rats treated with 5 % NMSHE gave a faster and better epitheliasation time than those in group 1 treated with control base ointment. The histopathology and haematology analyses result showed no disparity between the control and the test group; this is a point of reference showing that the extracts seemed to possess some essential constituents which actually hastened the wound healing process.
macrophylla seed hexane extract healed the wound created on wistar rats at a faster time than the control ointment hence could probably serve as a replacement to conventional wound healing ointment
Study of the Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Activity of the Total Aqueous Extract of Clerodendrum splendens (G.Don) Leaves (Lamiaceae)
No full textClerodendrum splendens (Lamiaceae) is a plant with therapeutic properties, traditionally used in several countries for the treatment of several diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of the total aqueous extract obtained from the leaves of C. splendens in order to contribute to a better knowledge of the therapeutic effects of this plant. It consisted in the realization of the antioxidant activity of ETAC according to the following methods: the DPPH test and the iron reducing power test (FRAP). For the DPPH test, 50 µl of each of the different concentrations of the extract were incubated with 5 ml of a 0.004% methanolic solution of DPPH. After an incubation period of 30 minutes, the absorbances at 517 nm were recorded. The 50% inhibitory concentration of DPPH activity (IC50) expressed in µg/ml of each extract was calculated and compared with that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) taken as the reference antioxidant. The Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay measures the reducing power of antioxidants in a mixture by their ability to reduce ferric tripyridyl-triazine (Fe3+ -TPTZ) to ferrous (Fe 2+-TPTZ) at acidic pH. 900 µl of the FRAP reagent, previously incubated at 37°C, was mixed with 70 µl of doubly distilled water and 30 µl of the sample (with appropriate dilutions). The increase in absorbance at 593 nm was then monitored for 30 minutes at 37 °C. A range of FeSO4.7H2O, a reducing standard, between 0 and 2000 µM was used to calculate the FRAP values of the extracts and the standard antioxidant (BHT). The results of the study showed that ETAC has a good free radical scavenging activity compared to the activity of BHT, which is a synthetic antioxidant used as a standard. Thirty-two (32) rats weighing between 150 and 200 grams on average were used for the immunomodulatory effect of ETAC. The rats were randomly divided into four (4) batches of eight (8) rats each according to their weight. Each batch consisted of four (4) male and four (4) female animals distributed in different bins according to sex. The control rats were each given 1 ml of distilled water daily by gavage for the 28-day treatment period. The three (3) test batches (batches 1; 2 and 3) received 125 mg/kg bw; 250 mg/kg bw and 500 mg/kg bw of ETAC by gavage daily for 28 days. ETAC significantly increased white blood cell and lymphocyte counts at 125 and 250 mg/kg bw. The increase was greatest at 250 mg/kg bw. Only at 250 mg/kg bw was there a significant increase in neutrophils. Histological sections showed no structural or functional abnormalities in the thymus and spleen
Biochemical Characterization of Mango Kernel (Mangifera indica) Grown in Côte d’Ivoire and Formulation of Butter for Cosmetic Use
No full textAims: The peel and the kernel of mangoes of KENT and KEIT varieties, although presenting enormous nutritive and technological potentialities, are considered as waste and, as a result, rejected in nature causing environmental pollution. This study therefore set itself the general objective of contributing to the development of mango by-products (Mangifera indica) by incorporating them into formulations of products for cosmetic use.
Study Design: Almond butter was obtained from the fresh and dried almonds of two varieties of mangoes (KENT and KEIT).
Place and Duration of Study: Fruits of mango (KENT and KEIT) varieties at commercial maturity used in this study came from Banco fruit market (Abidjan, Côte d\u27Ivoire). The tests were carried out at the laboratory of food biochemistry of Nangui Abrogoua University, between May and July 2020.
Methodology: The mango kernels (Mangifera indica) were extracted and the biochemical characterization of both fresh kernels and almond powders was carried out on parameters such as lipids, ash, fibers, etc. Then, mango kernel powder of KENT with good potential was used for the formulation of butter. Following the control formulation, different formulations were made by reducing volume of extraction solvent (sunflower oil) and varying the amount of beeswax used at 10% and 35% of the mass of macerate used. Finally, physicochemical properties of butter were determined.
Results: The study showed that mango kernels produced in Côte d’Ivoire, specifically mango kernel powders, were rich in lipids (8-9%), proteins (2-7%), fiber (9-11%), carbohydrates (35-76%), ash (2.99-5.66%), vitamin C (35-104 mg/100g) and many other biomolecules, which made possible the production of butter. The physicochemical properties of butter gave results of acid numbers of 8.24 to 9.03 mg KOH/g oil and saponification of 189.45 to 212.09 mg KOH/g oil. These indices combined with pH (4.6 to 5.2), density (0.3 to 0.91) and color are indicators of the good quality of butter. Finally, the KE 1/3 formulation, with 35% beeswax added, gave the most satisfaction.
Conclusion: These physical and chemical properties obtained would suggest a finished product of quality and good conservation and good scent pleasant and would have various applications in the cosmetic field in particular in the nutrition of the skin and the hair
Polymorphism Evaluation of TLR2 Gene Associated with Endometritis Infection in Buffalo Reared in Egypt
No full textBackground and Aim: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important for the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within TLRs have a potential impact on the alteration of susceptibility or resistance to inflammatory diseases. This work focused on a case-control study for the distribution of SNPs in TLR2 gene to test their role for endometritis occurrence in river buffalo.
Materials and Methods: Egyptian buffaloes from the slaughterhouse were tested, where forty samples divided into apparently healthy uteri (20n) and clinically infected ones (20n) were used to detect the genetic association between TLR2 gene SNPs and endometritis disease.
Results: Nineteen novel polymorphic sites were identified. Three SNPs were found to be statistically significant. AA genotype at 5`UTR and CC genotype at the coding region had significant association with susceptibility to endometritis, while GG genotype at 5`UTR had significant association with resistance to endometritis. Polyphen 2 analysis revealed three amino acids substitutions in TLR2 protein having potential functional significance. Haplotype reconstruction revealed the statistical significance of haplotype frequencies between cases and controls indicating its association with the occurrence of endometritis.
Conclusions: It is to be concluded that the innate immune activation response may be interfered by the effect of polymorphisms and mutations of TLRs due to the reduction of the protein ability to recognize Pathogen associated Molecular pattern (PAMPs)
A Comprehensive Review of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Genetics, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment
No full textDuchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder involving progressive muscle deterioration leading to loss of mobility, cardiomyopathy, and respiratory complications leading to an early death by the fourth decade of life. Males are affected more often as DMD results from a mutation in the dystrophin gene residing on the X chromosome. The DMD genetic mutation results in a complete functional lack of dystrophin, which culminates as an inadequate connection between the intracellular actin filaments and the extracellular skeleton of muscle. Boys affected by DMD clinically present with muscle weakness before age five, are often wheelchair-bound by age 12, and rarely survive beyond the third decade of life.
Traditional treatment strategies have focused primarily on quality-of-life improvement and have included the use of glucocorticoids and physical therapy. No cure currently exists, however many novel treatments for DMD are currently being explored. Some of these involve gene therapy, exon skipping, stop codon skipping, CRISPR technology interventions, and the use of a retinal dystrophin isoform. In this comprehensive review, we recapitulate the literature findings to summarize the history, epidemiology, genetics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and current and future strategies for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Assessment of Microbial Load and Multidrug-Resistant Profile of Bacterial Flora from Cattle in Bauchi, Nigeria
No full textAim: The study aimed to assess the bacterial load of in rectal swabs from cattle by isolating Enterococcus spp and Escherichia coli, and determining the multidrug-resistant pattern of the isolates.
Study Design: The study is a clinical-veterinary laboratory investigation involving the isolation and determination of the multidrug-resistant (MDR) profile of Enterococcus spp and E. coli isolated from cattle rectal.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Yelwa and Gubi campuses Farm centers of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Nigeria, in period extended from April to June 2021.
Methodology: Fresh rectal swab samples were collected from the randomly selected cattle and labeled. The samples were immediately transported and processed in the Microbiology laboratory at Yelwa Campus, and the bacterial load of each sample was determined using standard techniques. Enterococcus spp and E. coli were isolated using differential culture media followed by an appropriate biochemical identification test. The isolates were subjected to the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.
Results: In Yelwa, the highest microbial load is 2.7 x 1012 CFU/g. while the lowest microbial load is 2.0 x 1012 CFU/g. In the Gubi campus, the highest microbial load is 3.4 x 1012 CFU/g. while the lowest microbial load is 2.7 x 1012 CFU/g. Both in Yelwa and Gubi ,the result showed that most isolates of Enterococcus spp and E. coli are multidrug-resistant. In Yalwa some of the isolates showed 100% resistance against Norfloxacin, Rifampicin, Ampicillin, and Streptomycin, while Gentamycin gave the lowest multidrug resistance (57.4%). In Gubi, the highest was to ampicillin with (90.6%) frequency, while the lowest resistance was found in Chloramphenicol (11.3%). In Yelwa, a high percentage resistance (92.6%) was observed in Streptomycin, and Cephalexin has the lowest (20.4%). In Gubi, all the E. coli isolates had 100% resistance against sulfamethoxazole, and the lowest was in Ofloxacin (43.4%).
Conclusion: This study found that cattle in the area are reservoirs of bacteria that are both part of the normal flora and opportunistic pathogens, and harbored resistance phenotypes. It is therefore advocated that the use of these animals’ faeces as manure should be done with caution, particularly after pre-treatments
Impact of Cyanobacterial Inoculant on Growth and Productivity of Peanut Plants in Sandy Soil
No full textDuring the summer growing seasons of 2021 and 2022, two field experiments were conducted at Ismailia Agricultural Research Center Station(Latitude 30ᵒ 35′ 41.901″ N and Longitude 32ᵒ 16′ 45. 843″E) to study the effect of cyanobacterial inoculation (Anabaena oryzae (A. oryzae) and Nostoc mascarum (N. mascarum)) on peanut yield, quality and certain soil biological activities under various nitrogen fertilization conditions and three types of applications, thefirst treatment was carried out as coating seeds with powder of individual of each cyanobacterial strain and the before planted, second treatment seeds were drenched withsuspension of eachcyanobacterial strain individually andthe last treatment was by foliar doses after 15, 45 and 60 days from seeds planting. Results showed that applying cyanobacteria inoculation to peanut plants generally enhanced peanut plant growth, leading to significantly higher yields of peanut and grains than uninoculated treatments. Treatment of N. mascarum + 75% N recorded the highest peanut yield and plant characteristics followed by N. mascarum+ 75% N in soil drench application compared to other tested treatments and types of applications. Cyanobacteria enhanced the amount of N, P, Kand Ca in peanut plants overall. By increasing the total chlorophyl, carotenoids, dehydrogenase, urease activities and nutrients in the peanut rhizosphere, cyanobacteria inoculation had a favorable impact on soil fertility. In general, cyanobacteria inoculation with 75% nitrogen amounts can benefit under peanut growth in sandy soil conditions
Exposure-Time Effect of Cement Dust on Liver Organ in Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
No full textBackground: The purpose of this research was to compare the effect of duration of cement dust on the liver organ of albino rats. In this study, a glass house animal exposure chamber was fabricated using a plexi-glass and two blowing fans of adjustable revolution.
Methodology: A total of twenty five rats averagely weighing 135g were used and categorized into five groups composed of 5 rats each: A group (without cement exposure); B group (exposed to 200g of cement dust for 1 hour daily for 15days); C group (exposed to 200g of cement dust for 1 hour daily for 30 days); D group (exposed to 200g of cement dust for 1 hour daily for 45 days) and E group (exposed to 200g of cement dust for 1 hour daily for 60 days). The means of exposure was by inhalation. After the exposure periods, the animals were sacrificed, blood collected in plain bottle and analyzed for some liver function.
Results: The ANOVA result showed that there were significant changes (p < 0.05) in the levels of some liver function markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Total protein (TP), Albumin and Conjugated bilirubin (CB), and the alteration patterns were irregular. On the other hand, there were no changes (p>0.05) in the levels of Aspartate amino transferase (AST), Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and Total bilirubin (TB) among the groups.
Conclusion: This study has therefore shown that exposure to cement may cause some decrease of liver injury in rats regardless of the duration of the exposure
Phenotypic Characterization of Fungal Pathogens Associated with the Main Mycoses of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)
No full textAims: To study the diversity of fungal pathogens associated with cashew mycoses in Togo.
Study Design: This research project was initiated by the Mycology Research and Applications Unit of the Botany and Plant Ecology Laboratory (LBEV) in order to have adequate information on cashew mycoses in Togo.
Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Botany and Plant Ecology (LBEV) of the University of Lome (UL) and of Crop Protection and Biosafety Laboratory of Togolese Institute of Agronomic Research (ITRA), February to August 2020.
Methodology: A total of 148 symptomatic samples (leaves, buds, inflorescences, nuts, and apples) were collected from cashew trees in the East Mono prefecture of Togo. Malt-agar medium supplemented with chloramphenicol at 0.5 g/l was used for the isolation of fungal pathogens. The characterization of these fungal pathogens was carried out from the 7th day based on their macroscopic (texture, color, diameter of growth) and microscopic (hypha, spore, fruiting body) characters.
Results: This study revealed the presence of five mycoses in cashew orchards in the East Mono prefecture. These are leaf anthracnose, bud’s dieback, black rust, leaf yellowing, and powdery mildew. In total, 12 fungal genera were encountered and 14 species of fungal pathogens were identified on all the samples collected: Rhizopus sp., Penicillium sp., Mucor sp., Sporotrichum sp., Fusarium nivale, Fusarium moliniforme, Fusarium moliniforme var. subglutinans, Curvularia lunata, Curvularia geneculata, Alternaria tenuissima, Alternaria brassicisola, Beltrania rhombica Penz., Thielavia coactilis Nicot, Helminthosporium avenae, Helminthosporium siccans, Phoma eupyrena, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger.
Conclusion: It would be of great interest to train cashew producers in the East Mono prefecture on the recognition of the symptoms of these mycoses and their management