International Annals of Science
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Phytochemical Status of Different Solvent Extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev Leaves
Get PDFThe choice of suitable solvent is essential in the extraction of much needed bioactive phytochemicals present in medicinal plants. This study assessed the phytochemical status of four solvents (methanol, hexane, ethylacetate and aqueous) extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis, leaves of the plants were extracted with the solvents by cold maceration for three days; screening and quantitative determination of saponin, alkaloid, tannin, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids phenols and terpenoids was done using standard methods. Phytochemical screening indicates the presence of all the phytocompound in the methanol extract, while other extracts shows variation in the availability of different phytochemicals, quantitative results shows alkaloid ranged from 1.79-18.90 mg/100g, flavonoids: 2.54-10.53 mg/100g, saponin: 2.00-12.23 mg/100g, tannin: ND-4.83 mg/100g, phenol: ND-6.65 mg/100g, cardiac glycoside: ND-2.08 mg/100g, and terpenoids: ND-1.98 mg/100g; significant difference (p<0.05) exist in each phytochemicals across the solvents where methanol and the aqueous extracts gave the best extraction efficiency for the phytochemicals. Consequently, the optimum extraction of useful phytochemicals from A. djalonensis could be achieved using either methanol and water
Anti-nutritional Composition, Heavy Metal Content and Mineral Bioavailability of Red Tree Vine (Leea guineensis G. Don) Fruits
Get PDFLeea guineensis G. Don is an evergreen shrub that has been reported to be important in Nigeria due to its medicinal and nutritional uses. However, there is paucity of documented information on the anti-nutritional composition, heavy metal content and mineral bioavailability of L. guineensis whole fruits. Hence, this study investigated the essential minerals, heavy metals and anti-nutritional compositions of L. guineensis whole fruits with a view to assess the quantity, bioavailability of the mineral elements and ultimately the safety of the fruits using standard analytical procedures. The results of phytochemical screening confirmed presence of secondary metabolites in varying quantities. The anti-nutrient contents (mg/100g) were phytates (29530); oxalates (510); saponins (10333); alkaloids (30533) and tannins (53.3). The results of mineral analysis revealed that L. guineensis fruits were rich in essential minerals (mg/100g) like, potassium (493); calcium (200); magnesium (103.3); phosphorus (9.9); zinc (8.5); manganese (5.5) and iron (5.0). The heavy metals concentrations were in the order lead>chromium>nickel>cobalt>cadmium. The values obtained were within the WHO permissible limits for heavy metals in medicinal plants. Meanwhile, the results of molar ratio phytates: Ca (8.97); oxalates: Ca (0.7978) and Ca.phytates:Zn (0.64) were below the suggested critical values indicating the bioavailability of calcium to be high. While phytates: Fe (501.06) and phytates: Zn (348.22) were higher than the critical values indicating poor bioavailability of Fe and Zn. The study therefore suggests that L. guineensis fruits are a good source of phyto-minerals which can be harnessed for nutritional purpose. Also, the anti-nutrient contents in L. guineensis whole fruits should be reduced to a safe level through processing methods (soaking, de-pulping or fermentation) in order to achieve its optimum nutritional or medicinal use
Identification of Novel Key Biomarkers in Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome (SGBS): Evidence from Bioinformatics Analysis
Get PDFThe Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome (SGBS) or overgrowth Syndrome is an uncommon genetic X-linked disorder highlighted by macrosomia, renal defects, cardiac weaknesses and skeletal abnormalities. The purpose of the work was to classify the functional nsSNPs of GPC3 to serve as genetic biomarkers for overgrowth syndrome. The raw data of GPC3 gene were retrieved from dbSNP database and used to examine the most damaging effect using eight functional analysis tools, while we used I-mutant and MUPro to examine the effect of SNPs on GPC3 protein structure; The 3D structure of GPC3 protein is not found in the PDB, so RaptorX was used to create a 3D structural prototype to visualize the amino acids alterations by UCSF Chimera; For biophysical validation we used project HOPE; Lastly we run conservational analysis by BioEdit and Consurf web server respectively. Our results revealed three novel missense mutations (rs1460413167, rs1295603457 and rs757475450) that are that are more likely to be responsible for disturbance in the function and structure of GPC3. This work provides new insight into the molecular basis of overgrowth Syndrome by evidence from bioinformatics analysis. Three novel missense mutations (rs757475450, rs1295603457 and rs1460413167) are more likely to be responsible for disturbance in the function and structure of GPC3; therefore, they may be assisting as genetic biomarkers for overgrowth syndrome. As well as these SNPs can be used for the larger population-based studies of overgrowth syndrome
Soil Erosion Impact Assessment using USLE/GIS Approaches to Identify High Erosion Risk Areas in the Lowland Agricultural Watershed of Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia
Get PDFErosion map of a watershed offers a wealth of knowledge and can be crucial for implementing site-specific management interventions. Thus, watershed-based soil erosion assessment was conducted to recognize erosion hotspot areas, while aiming to roughly calculate the average annual soil loss in Genda-wuha watershed, with a total area of 154,548.5 ha located in the northwest lowland of Blue Nile basin Ethiopia using USLE/GIS approach. Sixteen years of rainfall data, 53 soil sample data, a 30m by 30m digital elevation model (DEM), a land-use/land-cover map, and support practice factor were used to determine high erosion risk areas. The USLE parameters were integrated and analyzed using a raster calculator in the ArcGIS platform to predict and map the mean annual soil loss of Genda-wuha watershed. The result showed that the annual soil loss of the watershed extends from none in the lower and middle part of the watershed to 75.36 Megagram (Mg) ha-1yr-1 in the steeper parts of the watershed with a mean annual soil loss of 7.9 Mg ha-1yr-1. Most of the soil erosion affected areas are spatially situated in the upper steep slope parts of Genda-wuha watershed, which could be as a result of an increased slope gradient and length in the specified location. However, the majority of the watershed (82.62%) was estimated to be low erosion rates varying from 0 to 5 Mg ha–1 yr–1 and these areas correspond primarily to nearly flat landscapes of the watershed
The Prevalence of Congenital Malaria: Nigerian Experience
Get PDFThis study was aimed at highlighting on the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women in Nigeria within the last ten years. The prevalence of congenital malaria in Nigeria varies and it affects every geopolitical zone in Nigeria. This is because Nigeria like other countries in the tropics and subtropics has factors which favour the survival of mosquito. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of insecticide treated nets and effective case management of uncomplicated malaria as a feasible and cost-effective control strategy, Nigeria remains one of the worst affected countries in the world with malaria among pregnant women and neonates. This paper recommends more programs to the menace of this infection among pregnant women and neonates in Nigeria
Comparative Studies on the Proximate Composition of Three Tubers of Dioscorea Species in Anyigba, Kogi State
Get PDFThe third world countries are not just suffering from food shortage, they are also plagued by malnutrition which stems from poverty coupled with inadequate informations about the nutritional contents of foods consume by most of her populace. Yam is a stable food consume by millions of Nigerians and the decision of which species to consume is often based on palatability and availability. Proximate analysis was carried out on D. rotundata., D. cayenensis and D. alata to compare their protein, carbohydrate, moisture, crude fibre, fat and ash content. The result reveals that Carbohydrate content of D. cayenensis (50.60%) was higher when compared to D. rotundata (48.8%) and D. alata (36.02%). Also, the crude fibre of D. alata (5.26%) was significantly higher compared to D. cayenensis (4.86%) and D. rotundata (4.75%), similar result was obtained for the protein content of D. alata; which was 3.46% compared to D. cayanensis (2.13%) and D. rotundata (1.61%) respectively. This research concludes that the proximate composition of the Dioscorea species studied varied significantly. Yam consumers and nutritionist are advised to select their yam species in view of the various proximate constituents to achieve a well balance diet in terms of food and composite flour. The cultivation of the D. alata species should be encouraged because of its low Carbohydrate and high protein contents, thus making it suitable for diabetic patients or people suffering from related illnesses
Functional Characterisation of a Calmodulin-Binding Receptor-Like Cytoplasmic Kinase (GmCBRLCK1) in Glycine max (L.) Merr. using Bioinformatic Tools
Get PDFAn understanding of the function of signaling genes/proteins in soybean is vital for comprehending plant growth and development. The objective of this study was to functionally characterize a calmodulin-binding receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase gene (Glyma.13G161700) from Glycine max. Bioinformatic analyses were performed for the characterization. Expression profile of GmCBRLCK1 gene in soybean tissue was assessed using Genevisible. Functional genomic analysis for gene expression regulation and co-expression analysis was evaluated using micro array data from Affymetrix Soybean Genome Array platform in GENEVESTIGATOR v3. Gene ontology functional predictions were determined through FFPred 2.0. The results showed that the calmodulin-binding receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase gene is predominantly expressed in the pericycle and syncytium in root seedlings and in the palisade cells of the legume. The gene was shown to be highly upregulated in response to root exposure to Phytophthora sojae, Heterodera glycines and aluminium stress. Co-expressed genes during the legume development showed Pearson’s correlation co-efficient of 1 to Glyma.13G161700. Gene ontology predictions confirmed the signaling and metabolic functions of the kinase gene and its primary locations are the membrane and endomembrane system of G. max. The study therefore suggests that Glycine max calmodulin-binding receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase (GmCBRLCK1) is involved in receptor signaling pathways to enhance seedling tolerance to root infection by P. sojae, H. glycines, and to aluminium stress. The kinase gene is also involved in regulation of metabolic processes that aid in growth and development of soybean seedling
Novel Mutations within PRSS1 Gene that Could Potentially Cause Hereditary Pancreatitis: Using Bioinformatics Approach
Get PDFHereditary pancreatitis (HP) is a rare heterogeneous disease with partial penetrance identified by frequent episodes of severe abdominal pain, often showing in young aged children. It is complicating by chronic pancreatitis, and high rate of pancreatic cancer (up to 40-50%). The aim of this work was to classify the most deleterious mutation in PRSS1 gene and to predict their influence on the functional and structural level by a variety of bioinformatics analysis tools. The raw data of PRSS1 gene were recovered from SNP database, and further used to examine a deleterious effect using SIFT, PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, SNAP2, SNPs&GO, PHD-SNP, PANTHER and P-Mut. The functional analysis predicted that two SNPs “rs1366278558 and rs767036052” have a deleterious effect at functional level. Additionally, we submitted them to I-mutant 3.0, and MUPro respectively to investigate their effect on structural level; the two tools revealed that; two mutations have a dramatic decrease of the protein stability, thus suggesting that the M1R and L4P mutations of PRSS1 gene could destabilize the amino acid interactions causing functional abnormalities of PRSS1 protein. The 3D structure of PRSS1 was predicted by RaptorX and modeled using UCSF Chimera to compare the differences between the native and the mutant amino acids. From the comparative analysis at the functional and structural level, these two SNPs “M1R and L4P” have a deleterious effect and thus could be used as diagnostic markers to predict HP. These findings can be used as a platform to develop large-scale studies in the future
Infant Screening System Based on Cry Analysis
Get PDFAcoustical investigation of infant cries has been a clinical and research focus in the recent years. Findings of several studies reveal the importance of cry as a useful window for early detection of several diseases and communication difficulties such as hearing impairment, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy etc. This motivates us to use a minimal interface system that can automatically classify infant cries into normal and pathological with the help of state-of-the-art machine learning strategies. In this paper, we propose a software program for screening infants based on their cries. The proposed system is able to detect & classify infant cries into normal and pathological based on the acoustic input. To build and train the system, infant cries of normal and Low Birth Weight (LBW) newborn within 7 days of birth were considered. A pain induced cry elicited using the routine intramuscular immunization was recorded using a standard Olympus LS-100 recorder which was held about 10 centimetres away from the infant’s mouth. The acoustic correlates of these cries were used to build the software tool. Artificial Neural Network was employed to improve its functionality. Therefore, we propose a screening tool for further accessibility and large-scale implementation
Anticancer Herbs for Improving the Quality of Life
Get PDFIn the world, there are many systems of traditional medicine. Cancer is the major public health burden both in developing and developed countries. Around 50% of existing medicines for cancer treatment have plants origin. Anticancer property of some plant extracts proven to be significantly effective in the treatment of cancer. Many herbs like sadabahar, turmeric, Kalonji, cannabis, garlic, flaxseed contain active components which may be effective in prevention and treatment of many cancers. The present review focuses on the evidence of health benefit of various herbs though recent human and animal studies.