Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Study of Methanol Seed Extract of Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa) in Albino Rats

The present study investigates the toxicological properties of the methanol seed extract of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa. For the acute toxicity study, a limit test dose of 5000mg/kg was used while in the sub-chronic toxicity study, the treatment groups received a daily oral dose of the extract at 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg/kg for 28 days. The acute toxicity study revealed that the extract was safe up to 5000mg/kg. Results of sub-chronic toxicity study revealed significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight at the dose of 3000mg/kg. Neutrophils in all the treatment groups were significantly increased (p<0.05) while all the other haematological parameters tested showed no significant difference with the control group. The extract also showed mild to moderate deleterious effects on some biochemical parameters. ALT, ALP. AST and GGT levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) with mild distortion of hepatic architecture in the liver of the group that received the highest dose (3000mg/kg).  No pathological changes in the kidneys were observed at the various doses. This suggests that the extract should be used with caution with increasing dose. Keywords: Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa, acute toxicity study, sub-chronic toxicity study, haematological parameters, biochemical parameters

Comparative Chemical Analysis, Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activities of the Rinds, Seeds and Juice of (Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa) Passion Fruit

In this study, an attempt had been made to determine the proximate composition and anti-nutritional factors of the juice, rind and seed of passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa. Crude lipid was determined by Soxhlet extraction, crude protein by microkjeldahl method and crude carbohydrate by difference. The result of proximate composition showed that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in fibre, protein, lipid, and moisture content between the rind, juice and seed.  The oxalate, phytate, tannin and cyanide content of the rind, seed and juice were low but differed significantly. The methanol extract of the rind, seed and juice of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa were screened for the presence of secondary plant metabolites and tested for antimicrobial activity. Flavonoids, alkaloids, volatile oils and balsam were detected in all the extracts. Saponins and steroids were detected in seed and juice extracts. Glycosides and saponin glycosides were detected in seed and peel extracts. The antibacterial activity was tested against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by well-in agar method. The rind and seed showed significant antibacterial activity against the test organisms at all the concentrations tested (30, 60 and 90 mg/ml). The juice extract showed moderate activity. The rind, seed and juice showed antifungal activity. The fungus isolate used was Aspergillus niger using agar incorporation method. The methanol extracts of seed and rind showed extremely significant differences (p<0.05) against the Aspergillus niger, while juice extract considered not quite significant (p>0.05). The result showed a significant increase in the activity of the extracts at all the concentrations tested (10, 20, 40, 70 and 100 mg/ml). The observed result may be attributed to the presence of detected phytochemical constituents. It can be concluded that Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa possess antimicrobial activity and is also nutritionally relevant and could serve as a rich source of nutrients. Keywords: Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa, Comparative, Chemical, Antinutritional. Phytochemical, antimicrobial

Isolation of chemical constituents from n-hexane leaf extract of Cassia singueana del. (Fabaceae)

Cassia singueana Del. (Fabaceae) is a tropical plant species widely distributed across northern Nigeria. It is used by traditional herbalists in the treatment of ulcer, diabetes and other diseases. In this work, the n-hexane leaf extract of C. singueana was fractionated and purified by column chromatography using n-hexane, CHCl3, and EtOAc. This process led to the isolation of five (5) compounds namely, stigmasterol (1), stigmast-4-en-3-one (2a), stigmast-4, 22-dien-3-one (2b), 1-heneicosanol (3) and hexyl heneicosanoate (4). Compounds 2a and 2b were isolated as mixture. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis and comparison of the spectral data with literature values was undertaken.Keywords: Cassia singueana, column chromatography, isolation, phytochemicals, stigmastero

Blockchain security for 5G network using Internet of Things devices

Network of vehicles using Internet of Things (IoT) frameworks have efficient characteristics of modern intelligent transportation system with a few challenges in vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs). However, its security framework is required to manage trust management by preserving user privacy. Wireless mobile communication (5G) system is regarded as an outstanding technology that provide ultra-reliable with limited latency wireless communication services. By extension, integrating Software Defined Network (SDN) with 5G-VANET enhances global information gathering and network control. Therefore, real-time IoT application for monitoring transport services is efficiently supported. These ensures vehicular security on this framework. This paper provides a technical solution to a self-confidential framework for a smart transport system. This process exploiting IoT for vehicle communication by incorporating SDN and 5G technology. Due to some features of blockchain, this framework has been implemented to provide various alternative support for vehicular smart services. This involves real-time access to cloud to stream video information and protection management to vehicular network. The implemented framework presents a promising technique and reliable vehicular IoT environment while ensuring user privacy. Results of simulation presents that vehicular nodes/messages (malicious) and overhead is detected and the impact on network performance are satisfactory when deployed in large-scale network scenarios

Classification of slaughtered animals and estimation of body condition scores during rainy season in Sokoto abattoir

The animals slaughtered at the Sokoto City Abattoir in Northwestern Nigeria from 5th June to 6th August 2010 were classified based on body condition scores (BCS) and other variables. A total of 6215 animals (cattle, sheep, goats and camels) were slaughtered with wide disparities in body conditions. Cattle remain the predominant animal slaughtered (67.74%) with the least predominant animal being camel (5.41%). The majority (80.80%) of the large ruminant slaughtered were in borderline to optimum (3-4) body condition while the majority of small ruminant (81.73%) primarily fell into the optimum (2-3) body conditions at slaughter. Multivariable ordered logistic regression analysis revealed that BCS as an estimated outcome is based principally on seasons with the beginning of rains (June) being the most critical. Since the study was undertaken at the beginning to middle of rainy season, it is expected that the animals are just recovering from the stress of previous dry season and scarcity of feed resources, this support the result from the analysis. Additional factors may contribute to differences in BCS of slaughtered animals are not evaluated in this study due to limitation of data collection, and future useful data may be generated by implementing a more comprehensive data recording system for slaughter statistics and research at the Nigerian abattoirs.Keywords: Abattoir, Body condition score, Nigeria, Ordinal model, Rainy season, Slaughtered animal

Biomarkers for Inner Ear Disorders: Scoping Review on the Role of Biomarkers in Hearing and Balance Disorders

The diagnostics of inner ear diseases are primarily functional, but there is a growing interest in inner ear biomarkers. The present scoping review aimed to elucidate gaps in the literature regarding the definition, classification system, and an overview of the potential uses of inner ear biomarkers. Relevant biomarkers were categorized, and their possible benefits were evaluated. The databases OVID Medline, EMBASE, EBSCO COINAHL, CA PLUS, WOS BIOSIS, WOS Core Collection, Proquest Dissertations, Theses Global, PROSPERO, Cochrane Library, and BASE were searched using the keywords “biomarker” and “inner ear”. Of the initially identified 1502 studies, 34 met the inclusion criteria. The identified biomarkers were classified into diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic, and pathognomonic; many were detected only in the inner ear or temporal bone. The inner-ear-specific biomarkers detected in peripheral blood included otolin-1, prestin, and matrilin-1. Various serum antibodies correlated with inner ear diseases (e.g., anti-type II collagen, antinuclear antibodies, antibodies against cytomegalovirus). Further studies are advised to elucidate the clinical significance and diagnostic or prognostic usage of peripheral biomarkers for inner ear disorders, filling in the literature gaps with biomarkers pertinent to the otology clinical practice and integrating functional and molecular biomarkers. These may be the building blocks toward a well-structured guideline for diagnosing and managing some audio-vestibular disorders

Biomarkers for Inner Ear Disorders: Scoping Review on the Role of Biomarkers in Hearing and Balance Disorders

The diagnostics of inner ear diseases are primarily functional, but there is a growing interest in inner ear biomarkers. The present scoping review aimed to elucidate gaps in the literature regarding the definition, classification system, and an overview of the potential uses of inner ear biomarkers. Relevant biomarkers were categorized, and their possible benefits were evaluated. The databases OVID Medline, EMBASE, EBSCO COINAHL, CA PLUS, WOS BIOSIS, WOS Core Collection, Proquest Dissertations, Theses Global, PROSPERO, Cochrane Library, and BASE were searched using the keywords "biomarker" and "inner ear". Of the initially identified 1502 studies, 34 met the inclusion criteria. The identified biomarkers were classified into diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic, and pathognomonic; many were detected only in the inner ear or temporal bone. The inner-ear-specific biomarkers detected in peripheral blood included otolin-1, prestin, and matrilin-1. Various serum antibodies correlated with inner ear diseases (e.g., anti-type II collagen, antinuclear antibodies, antibodies against cytomegalovirus). Further studies are advised to elucidate the clinical significance and diagnostic or prognostic usage of peripheral biomarkers for inner ear disorders, filling in the literature gaps with biomarkers pertinent to the otology clinical practice and integrating functional and molecular biomarkers. These may be the building blocks toward a well-structured guideline for diagnosing and managing some audio-vestibular disorders

Locating mobile producer’s position in anchorless NDN environment using signal strength

This paper assesses the Muslim contribution in Computer Science Applications and Technology. This involves in-depth analysis of recent technologies in computer, based on perspective that Islam accommodates. All research conducted from the history of civilization is basically driven from script of the Quran and Sunnah. Therefore, technology and science are derivatives of Islamic civilization. Recent technology of the Internet is now centred on multimedia contents applications (such as audio, video and images). This is due to the rapid innovations and production of electronic devices across the globe. The idea of contents on the Internet is developed from the Content Concentric Network (CCN). And the most promising between CCN types is the Named Data Networking (NDN). Named Data Networking is a new content centric network architecture that can possibly overwhelm most issues of IP mobility and security. NDN approach is commonly identified under Information Concentric Network or Content Concentric Network and is centered on addressing contents by themselves using names, rather than assigning IP addresses to packets on hosts, where information is located on the global Internet. Due to the developing scope of remote access around the world and Wi-Fi accessibility, scenarios change as a result of additional networking devices. This paper also analyses existing methodologies of mobile device communication using Wi-Fi in NDN environment. This involves using a mobile producer and a rendezvous node connected via content routers in a network. Their location is detected and predicted immediately handoff occur and it transmit content as a consumer. The approach of transmitting content signals uses sign power pointer, Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Time of Arrival (TOA) and TSE in the network. Several challenges were noted and pointed out o enhance future work