Larvicidal Efficacy of Aqueous Extracts of Leaf of Ocimum gratissimum and Bark of Terminalia catappa against Aedes sp

The resistance of vectors to conventional insecticides has resulted in a renewed attention to natural products such as botanicals as a means of controlling mosquito vector population seeing that they are readily available and are eco-friendly. This study investigated the larvicidal efficacy of aqueous extracts of Ocimum gratissimum (leaf) and Terminalia catappa (bark) against Aedes sp. larvae and the evaluation of the phytochemical constituents present in them. The extracts were tested on laboratory bred Aedes sp. larvae at different concentrations (500, 750 and 1000ppm) at 24, 48 and 72 hrs. Data was analysed statistically using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The mortalities of the extracts were observed to increase with increase in concentration and time of exposure. Larval mortality recorded at 72 hrs of exposure to 1000ppm of O gratissimum and T. catappa were 46.7% and 13.3% respectively. LC50 and LC90 values at 72 hrs were 1017.70 and 1372.10ppm respectively for O. gratissimum and 4043.60 and 15678.10ppm for T. catappa. While only steroids were identified as the phytochemicals present in T. catappa, those identified in O. gratissimum include alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and tannins. The efficacy of both study plant extracts showed promising larvicidal potency. This is useful considering the current drive on Integrated Vector Management in controlling mosquito vector species on many fronts

MIXED LIGAND NICKEL(II) COMPLEXES OF BENZOYLTRIFLUOROACETONE WITH 2,2-BIPYRIDINE, 1,10-PHENANTHROLINE AND TETRAMETHYLETHYLENEDIAMINE: SYNTHESIS, SPECTROSCOPIC AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES

A series of nickel (II) complexes of 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione(bta) ligand mixed with 2,2¢-bipyridine (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and tetramethylethylenediamine(tmen) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, magnetic  and antimicrobial studies . A distorted square pyramidal nickel(II) complexes with the formular [Ni(bta)(N-N)(X)].H2O was formed with the bta ligand, where bta coordinated with the nickel ion through the two oxygen atom, the N-N donor ligand bonding with two nitrogen atom and  the fifth coordination position occupied by the NO3 molecule. On the other hand, the complexes; [Ni(bta)2tmen] and [Ni(bta)(bzac)bipy].H2O exhibited an octahedral geometry. The microbiostatic activity revealed that the [Ni(bta)(phen)(NO3)].H2O and [Ni(bta)(bipy)(NO3)].H2O lacked antibacterial activity

Microbiology of Composting Pig Waste: Comparison of Vermicomposting and Open Heap Techniques

Against the background of an effective waste management, microbiological studies of composting pig waste were investigated. Freshly deposited excreta from confined pigs in a private pig farm in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria were composted by two aerobic methods – vermicomposting and open heap. Microbial (bacterial and fungal) counts and characterization were carried out periodically within the 40 weeks of composting, using standard techniques. The results showed that only duration of composting significantly (p<.0.05) affected microbial counts as the counts decreased from the initial value at week zero to much lower value at week 40. A total of 274 bacterial and fungal isolates were recovered from the composting waste and majority (60.58%) were isolated from the open heap. Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus flavus were the predominant isolates recovered (9.49% each), and were the only isolates recovered throughout the period of composting irrespective of the composting technique. Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium were the least isolated (1.09% each). Vermicomposting technique was recommended on health and environmental grounds

Occurrence and Dynamics of Arthropod Predators Associated with Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Maize in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

The Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda JE Smith recently introduced in Nigeria, is a destructive pest of maize. Safer and more economically beneficial management outcomes have involved biological control constituting the use of predators, parasitoids and pathogens. There is limited information on predators of FAW in Nigeria. A study was therefore carried out in the Benin City, Edo state during the early and late maize cropping seasons of 2019 to identify arthropod predators of FAW on maize, assess their abundance and the relationship between their population and FAW abundance. Sampling was done weekly from the early whorl stage to the reproductive stage of maize plants. Insects collected were preserved using 70% ethanol and identified using morphological keys. Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and significant means separated using Duncan Multiple Range test (DMRT). T-test was used to compare predator abundance in both cropping seasons. Predator abundance was correlated with larval abundance using Pearson correlation analysis. The predators recorded in this study included species in the family Formicidae, Forficulidae, Blattellidae, Pentatomidae, and Araneae. Species in the family Formicidae were the most abundant in the early (55.85%) and late (95.67%) cropping seasons. Predator abundance was significantly different (p ˂ 0.001) across the sampling weeks. There was a significant negative correlation between larval abundance and predator abundance in the early season and a significant positive correlation in the late season. This study has provided base line data on some locally existing predators of FAW in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

PHYSICOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF MANGANESE (II) AND COPPER (II) COMPLEXES AND THEIR ADDUCT

&nbsp;Bis(salicylaldehydato) manganese (II) and Bis(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-Naphthyl)-1,3-butanedionato) copper(II),&nbsp; their 2,2'-bipyridine, ethylenediamine, 1,10-phenanthroline and tetramethylethylenediamine adducts have been synthesized and characterized by metal analysis, FT-IR, UV–Visible, magnetic susceptibility and antimicrobial activity. The complexes and adducts were obtained as brown, yellow or light green colour. The metal analyses were in close agreement with the theoretical values expected. The infrared spectra of the manganese(II) complex revealed the coordination of salicylaldehyde through the carbonyl group and the hydroxyl group, while 2,2'-bipyridine, ethylenediamine, 1,10-phenanthroline and tetramethylethylenediamine coordinated to the metal through the nitrogen atoms. The magnetic moment data suggests low-spin octahedral geometry for [Mn(sal)2(H2O)2] (μeff = 2.14 B.M), high-spin octahedral geometries for [Mn(sal)2(en)].5H2O (μeff = 5.50 B.M), [Mn(sal)2(phen)] (μeff = 6.2 B.M),[Mn(sal)2bipy](μeff =5.95 B.M)&nbsp; and [Mn(sal)2(tmen)](μeff =5.98 B.M.). The electronic measurements are indicative of a probable four-coordinate square planar geometry for [Cu(tfnb)2] while five-coordinate square pyramidal geometry are proposed for the copper(II) adducts. The complexes and adducts were screened against various bacteria and fungi. The copper complex and adducts were moderately active against fungal strain except [Cu(tfnb)2] and [Cu(tfnb)2en] in Aspergillus niger which showed pronounced activity and resistance respectivel

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERISATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF MIXED LIGAND NICKEL(II),COPPER(II) AND ZINC(II) COMPLEXES OF BENZALDEHYDE WITH 1,10-PHENANTHROLINE, 2,2′-BIPYRIDINE AND ETHYLENEDIAMINE

Nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) mixed ligand complexes of benzaldehyde with 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2′-bipyridine&nbsp; and ethylenediamine have been synthesised and characterised by metal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, electronic spectra studies, magnetic susceptibility measurement and antimicrobial activities. The infrared spectra of the complexes confirmed the coordination through the carbonyl oxygen of the benzaldehyde while the electronic transitions are consistent with the adoption of octahedral geometry for all the synthesised complexes. The magnetic moment of the synthesised complexes suggested that all the complexes were paramagnetic except Zn(II) complex which was diamagnetic. The microbial susceptibility testing showed that the copper complexes had stronger antibacterial and antifungal activity than nickel and zinc complexes. Notably, [Cu(Bz)2Bipy(NO3)2] and [Ni(Bz)2(phen)Cl2].H2O showed no antifungal activity

Differentiation of embryonic stem cells through controlled release of growth factors from microspheres

The development of microspheres for the sustained delivery of protein and small drug delivery has been utilised in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. However problems exist in obtaining a controlled and predictable release pattern of the encapsulated molecules from these materials. In this study, microspheres with a zero order release kinetic profile and no lag phase were developed from a novel PLGA based polymer blend. The novel PLGA based polymer blend was made from blending PLGA with varying compositions of the triblock co-polymer PLGA-PEG-PLGA. These blends were subsequently used in the fabrication of lysozyme and dexamethasone loaded microspheres. Blending of the triblock copolymer with PLGA resulted in a reduction of the glass transition temperature (36.1ºC against 59.7ºC) and an increased mechanical strength (25.25 ± 1.26MPa against 0.26 ± 0.05MPa) for PLGA and 30% triblock w/w microspheres respectively. An incremental increase in the triblock composition within the Triblock/PLGA blends resulted in a corresponding reduction in glass transition temperature of the microspheres. Varying the triblock composition within the microspheres showed no significant effect on entrapment efficiency (EE) of lysozyme (protein) and dexamethasone (drug) within fabricated microspheres (EE ~ 60% for and 75% for loading weight 5% w/w for lysozyme and dexamethasone microspheres respectively). Controlled release experiments showed incorporation of the triblock increased the burst release of the protein and drug molecules from the microspheres and improved their release kinetics, with zero-order release profile (post burst phase) observed at a triblock composition of 30% w/w. A positive correlation between the amount of triblock within the triblock / PLGA blend and the rate of protein and drug release was also observed. The induction of osteogenesis and chondrogenesis within stem cells seeded on dexamethasone and ascorbate phosphate, and TGF-β3 loaded scaffolds was successfully demonstrated. Zonal release of TGF-β3 and BMP4 proteins from a bilayered scaffold was also demonstrated. However experiments conducted to demonstrate the tissue zonation within a bone cartilage bilayered construct developed from embryonic stem cell seeded TGF-β3 and BMP4 loaded bilayered scaffolds yielded inconclusive data. These results suggests that protein and drug loaded injectable microspheres for tissue engineering applications can be formed from triblock/PLGA blends, and that by varying the triblock composition, the temperature at which the microspheres form scaffolds, the release kinetics and the mechanical strength of the resulting scaffolds can be controlled

Protective Effect of Ethanol Extract of Annona Muricata Leaves on Hematological Profile, Histology and Oxidative Stress in 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-induced Colorectal Carcinogenesis in Rats

Cancer starts when cells in the body start to grow out of control (malignant growth). Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum. Annona Muricata is a medicinal plant and is considered as a basis for health preservation and care worldwide. Colorectal cancer has reached epidemic proportions and is considered as a serious health problem, therefore treatment and cure of this disease is of great clinical importance. 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH) is a potent carcinogen for colon cancer in rats. In this study, rats were randomly allocated into six groups: control, extract alone, DMH, extract and DMH together, extract before DMH, DMH before extract. DMH was injected subcutaneously at 25mg/1000g body weight once a week for 16 weeks, while the ethanol extract of Annona muricata leaves (EEAML) were administered to rats orally at 120mg/1000g. After sacrifice, colon and liver sections were dissected out for histological and some biochemical analysis. Blood was also collected in EDTA bottles for hematological assays. The group injected with DMH (subcutaneously) and orally administered leaves extract of A. Muricata simultaneously showed similar results with the rats fed with normal feed, as there was absence of polyps in the rats’ colon when compared with those injected with DMH alone for 16 weeks. Malondialdehyde level of rats injected with DMH were significantly increased (p ˂ 0.05) compared to the control. Hematology indices and caspase 3 activity show the protective effects of EEAML against DMH.

A cross-sectional study on urogenital schistosomiasis in children; haematuria and proteinuria as diagnostic indicators in an endemic rural area of Nigeria

Background: Rapid and accurate diagnosis is necessary for the management of schistosomiasis in endemic areas.Objective: To assess the burden of urogenital schistosomiasis and the diagnostic efficiency of morbidity indicators of the disease in an endemic rural community of Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted. Urine samples of 487 pupils were screened microscopically for S. haematobium and tested for haematuria and proteinuria using chemical reagent strips.Results: The prevalence and intensity of infection were 57.1% and 45.0 eggs/10 mL urine respectively. Prevalence of infection in male (54.1%) and female (60.3%) individuals showed no significant variation (P&gt;0.05). However, prevalence of infection was age dependent with those in age groups 3-5 and 12-14 years having the least and highest prevalence of infection respectively (P&lt;0.05). Microhaematuria and proteinuria varied significantly with ages of the pupils with least (14.0, 40.0%) and highest (60.0, 80.0%) prevalence recorded in age groups 3-5 and 15-19 years respectively (P&lt;0.05). Proteinuria showed higher sensitivity (80.3%) compared to microhaematuria (73.3%).Conclusion: Schistosomiasis is highly endemic in the study area and the use of microhaematuria and proteinuria for mapping the infected  population prior treatment could be adopted.Key words: Schistosomaisis, haematuria, proteinuria, Nigeri

Cryptosporidiosis Among HIV-infected Patients with Diarrhea in Edo State, Midwesten Nigeria

To determine the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among HIV infected and HIV non-infected patients with diarrhea in Edo State, Nigeria, as well as the effect of CD4+ lymphocyte count on the prevalence of cryptosporidial infection among the HIV patients. Stool samples were collected from 300 patients consisting of 200 HIV-infected and 100 HIV non-infected patients with diarrhea. Blood samples were collected from the HIV-infected patients. The stool samples were processed to detect Cryptosporidium species using a modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, as well as other intestinal parasites using saline and iodine preparations. The blood samples were used to determine CD4+ lymphocyte count. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was higher in HIV-infected patients compared with their HIV non-infected counterparts (39% vs 24% respectively, p=0.0097). Cryptosporidiosis was diagnosed only among HIV-infected patients and was the only parasite whose prevalence was significantly different between HIV-infected and HIV non-infected patients. CD4+ lymphocyte count of <200 cells/µL among HIV-infected was a risk factor for acquiring cryptosporidial infection (OR=18.776, 95% CI=6.299, 55.964). A cryptosporidial infection prevalence of 18% among HIV-infected patients was observed and CD4+ count of <200 cells/µL was a risk factor for acquiring the disease. Routine examination of diarrhogenic stools of HIVinfected patients for cryptosporidiosis is advocated