Assessment of microbial contamination in pediatric oral liquid formulations marketed in Katsina State, Nigeria

No Abstract

Microbiological evaluation of shelflife indices of fermented African locust bean cake stored under different preservative treatments

This study was carried out on the preservation of fermented Parkia biglobosa Seeds sourced from Local Producers and laboratory produced. The local and fermented laboratory controlled samples were treated with 0.5ml of freshly prepared ginger extract. Another set of control was left untreated. The samples were stored at ambient temperature for 30 and 120 days. Contaminant isolates were identified from locally produced, laboratory treated and untreated (Control) using standard procedure. The analysis consisted of Aerobic and Anaerobic mesophilic count, Staphylococcus count and fungal count, detection of E. coli, S. aureus, Salmonella sp, Mucor sp and Rhizopus sp. The proximate analysis and organoleptic assessment of the purchased, Laboratory treated and laboratory untreated (control) were carried out using standard procedure at 30 and 120 days. Isolated and characterized bacterial isolates at 30 and 120 days in the treated and control locust bean cake were E.coli only isolated in Kwanar yandaddawa, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in all the purchased Locust bean cake, Salmonella sp was not detected and a predominant fungalspecies were Mucor and Rhizopus. There was log reduction between 30 and 120 days  reated locust bean cake; the Control shows Log increase. The mean proximate composition percentage differences between 30 and 120 days shows nutritional quality of treated locust bean cake. Organoleptically, the judges rejected control daddawa as a result of what the panelist termed as “unpalatable taste and partially pleasant aroma” due to off flavor. The growing interest in use of natural products of plant origin therefore gives Ginger extract an advantage in developing a practical approach for the preservation of African locust bean cake.Keywords: African locust bean cake, preservatives, log reduction, nutritional quality, shelflife

Measuring N2- Fixation by some Varieties of Groundnut and their Residual Effect on Subsequent Sorghum Crop using 15N Methodology

Five varieties of groundnuts were studied for their exact amount of nitrogen fixation effect on subsequent sorghum crop. The 15N methodology was used with a non-nodulating groundnut isoline as the reference crop. Six months after the groundnut harvest, sorghum was sown to study the presence of any residual N from fixation and/or soils own conserved N. The non-nodulating groundnut as a reference crop could detect N fixation (Ndfa) as amounting to 60% —70% of the crops need, i.e., 20%-30% more than the 40% -50% detected using sesame as the reference crop. The N derived from soil (Ndfs) was reduced from 50%-60% to 30%-40% which is much closer to what the low N (300ppm) Gezira soil can provide. Subsequent sorghum was positively affected by the preceding groundnut varieties but only variety Medani gave significant straw and total biological yields over the non-nodulating isoline. There was, therefore, an indication of residual N represented by the higher parameters recorded for the varieties. Groundnut is thus a good preceding crop for cereals though more research work is needed in the area of biological nitrogen fixation

Performance of Enhanced Polymeric Blend Membranes for the separation of CO2/CH4 mixtures

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of blending glassy and rubbery polymers with amines in the separation of CO2/CH4 mixtures. The membranes were synthesized by PSU (glassy), PVAc (rubbery) with three different amines using the evaporation method. The theoretical performanceof CO2/CH4 separation was compared against the experimental data for PSU/PVAc (80/20) % wt. membrane with DEA, MDEA and MEA at 2 to 10bar pressure. The experimental results showed that by the incorporation of PVAc and alkanolamines into base PSU, the membranes showed more efficient CO2 separation. The selectivity (CO2/CH4) of PSU/PVAc (80/20) % wt. with DEA membrane was quite high, as compared to PSU/PVAc (80/20) % wt. The amine polymeric blend membrane enhanced the separation of CO2 from CH4 due to adsorption to the amine groups. However, the real selectivity for binary mixtures of CO2/CH4 was lower than the theoretical selectivity

Phytochemical, antifungal and acute toxicity studies of Mitracarpus scaber Zucc. whole plant extracts

Mitracarpus scaber have been reported in the treatment of various ailments such as ulcer, cancer, skin diseases etc. It is therefore important to investigate these plant parts to ascertain their therapeutic potentials. The Mitracarpus scaber whole plant was extracted with water and methanol, screened for their phytochemical properties and antifungal effects. The plant samples were also investigated for alkaloid, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and phenolic contents using quantitative techniques. The antifungal activities of the plant samples were tested against Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum auduounii and Aspergillus flavus. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of the extracts were also determined. Flavonoid, steroid, triterpenes, tannins, carbohydrate, glycoside, phenols were detected in both extracts while anthraquinones was absent. Alkaloid was detected in the aqueous extract but absent in methanol extract. Quantitatively, the phenols (97.0 mg/g) was the highest phytochemical detected in the plant while the lowest was alkaloid (9.2 mg/g). Toxicity of the samples was expressed as LD50, it was found above 5000 mg/kg and did not cause mortality in all the tested rats. Aqueous extract only showed inhibition on Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes with no inhibition on Microsporum auduounii and Aspergillus flavus while ethanol extract only showed inhibition on Candida albicans with no inhibition on Microsporum auduounii, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Aspergillus flavus at the lowest concentration 12.5 mg/ml. The aqueous extract has MIC and MFC of 12.5 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml respectively against Candidaalbicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Thus, the traditional claims of the uses of the plants as antifungal agents were therefore supported

Pengembangan Minat Kewirausahaan Melalui Pembelajaran di Perguruan Tinggi

Abstrak . Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan minat kewirausahaan melalui pembelajaran di perguruan tinggi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif yang berifat library research. Teknik analisis data kualitatif tipe deskriptif melalui tiga tahap yaitu reduksi data, penyajian data dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian yang didapatkan adalah bahwa pembelajaran kewirausahaan berpengaruh positif terhadap pengembangan minat kewirausahaan mahasiswa. Adapun upaya yang dilakukan agar mahasiswa dapat mengembangkan minat kewirausahaan memerlukan Pengetahuan atau pengetahuan, keterampilan serta sikap yang akhirnya akan menimbulkan perilaku wirausaha yang dipengaruhi oleh faktor internal dan faktor eksternal

Molecular studies on extra-pulmonary tuberculosis among patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria

In 2010 World Health Organization reported that, one third of the World population had tuberculosis, and it is among the infectious disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a successful pathogen that has evolved several mechanisms to manipulate the host immune response. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of extra-pulmonary TB in patient that visited DOTs clinic, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano Nigeria for treatment. A prospective cross-sectional laboratory based study that involved the use of questionnaire and consent/assent form prior to sample collection. Extra pulmonary tuberculosis samples were tested by MTB/RIF assay using GeneXpert. Descriptive statistics was used to analyzed the data obtained and results were given in charts and tables. Out of 71 samples analyzed along with positive control (H37RV) and molecular grade water as a negative control, 3 (4.2 %) samples had extra-pulmonary TB, among which 2 (2.8 %) were from urine samples and 1 (1.4 %) from acetic fluid. This study shows the existence of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in the study area; and the tuberculosis was sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is therefore important to make screening of patients with sign and symptoms of extra pulmonary tuberculosis using Xpert MTB/RIF assay as regular method for extra pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis. This will be achieved through enlightenment of the clinicians in our health facilities, our States and local governments should strengthen the laboratory capacity for diagnosis and make the services available and reachable to the patients who need them

Preliminary study of Hepatitis B surface antigen on mental health care workers at federal neuropsychiatric hospital Barnawa, Kaduna Nigeria

Background: This study was designed to determine retrospectively, HBsAg status, marker of HBV infection, among Mental Health Care Workers (MHCWs) at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Barnawa Kaduna, North West, Nigeria. Two hundred and fifty one, apparently healthy HBV vaccine naïve, MHCWs, who voluntarily participate prior to HBV-vaccination. Materials and Methods: The screening was carried out using atlas latex haemagglutination test kit, between the months of December, 2000 through March, 2001. The MHCWs were categorized into senior and junior staff. Their ages, years of service, occupation, and department were obtained from year 2000 staff nominal roll. Prior to the study ethical approval was obtained from the hospital ethical committee. Two hundred and fifty one, participant were tested for HBsAg in a pre-HBV-vaccination exercise. Results: The number and percentages of participants by gender were 127 (50.6%) males and 124 (49.4%) females, respectively. The age range was 19-60 years with a mean age of 37 ± 2 years. The Number and percentages of junior and senior staff were 163 (65.0%) and 88 (35.0%), respectively. The incidence of HBsAg was 72 (28.7%). Incidence rates was highest among the males 41 (32.3%) compared to females 31(25.0%) and51-60yrs (50.0%), the incidence among Junior Staff was 52 (31.9%), while in Senior staff was 20 (22.7%) respectively. MHCWs who served between 26-30 years were 2 (66.7%) and those within 21-25 years were 6 (26.1%). Medical Record Staff were 3 (60.0%) and staff from other departments were Pharmacy 3 (50.0%), Artisans 7 (46.7%), Security 15(42.9%), Occupational Therapy Staff 2 (40.0%), Account Staff 6 (30.0%), Social Welfare 1 (25.0%), Hospital Maids 14 (23.7%), Administration Staff 11 (23.4%), Nurses 8 (17.0%), Medical Laboratory Staff 0 (0.0%), respectively. Statistical analysis obtained using Chisquare (x2) test showed no statistically significant association (p >0.05) between incidence of HBV-infection and years of service, Sex, Age, Cadre and Occupation. Conclusions: Due to a high prevalence of HbsAg, a marker of HBV infection, among MHCWs, Pre-vaccination screening should be instituted in Nigeria’s mental health facilities for early detection of HBV-infection and selective treatment. Key words: Hepatitis B virus; HbsAg; neuropsychiatric; vaccination; screening; Barnawa; Kaduna; Nigeria

Molecular diagnosis of urinary Mycobacterium tuberculosis among patients attending urology clinic in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis, a communicable disease with significant morbidity and mortality. It is still among the top killers of infectious diseases; Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a successful pathogen that has evolved several mechanisms to manipulate the host immune response. Objective of the study: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary tuberculosis among patients attending urology clinic in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional laboratory based study that involved the use of questionnaire and consent/assent form prior to sample collection. Xpert MTB/Rif assay was used to analyze the urine samples. Results: The results of this study shows that, out of 71 samples analyzed along with positive control (H37RV) and molecular grade water was used as negative control. The results showed that, 2 (2.8 %) were from urine samples. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics and results were presented in tables and charts. Conclusion: The study confirmed the presence of urinary tuberculosis in the study area, with prevalence of 2.8%. The pattern of tuberculosis was susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, there is need to introduce a routine screening of urinary tuberculosis among patients presenting sign and symptoms of urinary tract infection using Gene Xpert. This will be achieved through the engagement and enlightenment of the clinicians, strengthening the laboratory capacity for diagnosis and make the services available and accessible to the patients who need them. Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis; Prevalence and Gene Xpert

Genetic characterization of wild-type measles viruses circulating in suburban Khartoum, 1997-2000

Measles remains endemic in many East African countries, where it is often associated with high morbidity and mortality. We collected clinical specimens from Sudanese measles patients between July 1997 and July 2000. Sequencing of the 3' 456 nucleotides of the nucleoprotein gene from 33 measles virus (MV) isolates and 8 RNA samples extracted from clinical specimens demonstrated the presence of a single endemic MV strain with little sequence variation over time (overall nucleotide divergence of 0 to 1.3%). This was confirmed by sequencing of the complete H gene of two isolates from 1997 and two from 2000, in which the overall divergence ranged between 0 and 0.5%. Comparison with MV reference strains demonstrated that the viruses belonged to clade B, genotype B3, and were most closely related to a set of viruses recently isolated in Nigeria. Our study demonstrates a remarkable genetic stability of an endemically circulating MV strain