Tertiary conformational transition constant of guinea pig haemoglobin determined from the reaction of 5,5′-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoate) with CysF9[93]β and CysH3[125]β

We have determined Kequ, the equilibrium constant for the reaction of 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) — DTNB — with the CysF9*93+β and CysH3*125+β sulphydryl groups of various derivatives of guinea pig haemoglobin at 25oC. In the pH range 5.6 to 9, Kequ decreases almost 50-fold: from a mean of 3.45 ± 0.2 to a mean of 0.073 ± 0.01. Quantitative analyses of the pH dependence profiles of Kequ enable the determination of Krt, the equilibrium constant for the rt tertiary conformational transition of haemoglobin. The t isomer population is 53.9 (± 2)%. In the r conformation the pKas of the amino acid residues whose ionisations are coupled to the reaction of DTNB with the sulphydryl groups are 5.74 ± 0.02 — for a combination of HisNA2*2+β and HisH21*143+β) — and 7.74 ± 0.2 for ValNA1*1+β); in the t conformation they are 5.88 ± 0.05 and 8.23 ± 0.1, respectively.Keywords --- guinea pig haemoglobin; sulphydryl groups; 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate); equilibrium constants; tertiary conformational transition

Transition of haemoglobin between two tertiary conformations: Inositol hexakisphosphate increases the transition constant and the affinity of sheep haemoglobin for 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate)

The equilibrium constant (Kequ) for the reaction of 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) — DTNB — with the CysF9 [93]β sulphydryl group of the haemoglobins of the sheep decreases by about two orders of magnitude between pH≈5.6 and 9.2: from a mean of 7.2±1 to a mean of 0.044±0.01. Calculations from the pH dependence of Kequ show that in the r⇌t tertiary conformational transition of haemoglobin the t isomer population is 50.7 and 61.8% for the major and minor haemoglobins, respectively. In the presence of inositol hexakisphosphate (inositol-P6), Kequ increases for both haemoglobins by about an order of magnitude through most of the pH range. The t isomer population also increases to 82.1 and 79.6% for the major and minor haemoglobins, respectively. These results indicate that inositol-P6 increases the affinity of the sulphydryl for DTNB by increasing the population of the t isomer. It is highly probable that a minimum fourstate model that includes the r⇌t transition is required for a full understanding of haemoglobin function

Tertiary conformational transition in sheep hemoglobins induced by reaction with 5,5´-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) and by binding of inositol hexakisphosphate

We have determined the second-order reverse rate constant, kR, for the reaction of 5,5´-dithiobis(2- nitrobenzoate) – DTNB – with sheep hemoglobins as a function of pH from values of the second-order forward rate constant, kF, and the equilibrium constant, Kequ, at 25 °C: kR¼ kF Kequ. We demonstrate that (i) inositol hexakisphosphate (inositol-P6) decreases kF and kR by increasing Krt, the r⇌t tertiary conformation transition constant; (ii) the conformation favored for both the forward and reverse reactions is the r conformation. For stripped hemoglobin we obtain from the kF data a t isomer population of 34.6% (±14) prior to reaction with DTNB; from the kR data we calculate a t isomer population of 44.8% (±4) following reaction with DTNB. In the presence of inositol-P6 the latter value is increased to 79.5% (±2). These results demonstrate that an allosteric transition occurs on reaction with DTNB and on inositol-P6 binding

Entomological and transmission risk indices of malaria vectors in selected communities in Osun state, Nigeria

Baseline survey is an integral component of a malaria vector control programme, providing valuable information on mosquito behaviour that guide the suitability of chosen interventions. A need assessment of baseline entomological indices towards the future implementation of indoor residual spray (IRS) was conducted in Osun State, Nigeria. Indoor resting mosquitoes were collected in human households from three LocalGovernment Areas. These were morphologically identified, subjected to species specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and analyzed for sporozoite infection and blood meal origin using enzyme linked   immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All female Anopheles identified fed on human blood but tested negative to Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite antigen. The PCR analysis showed a predominance of An. gambiae s.s. (95%) over An. arabiensis (5%). The preponderance of indoor resting An. gambiae s.s and the incidence of exophilic An. arabiensis suggest a combination of IRS and long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for this region.Keywords: Malaria vectors, Transmission risk indices, Species specific PCR, Plasmodium falciparum, Circumsporozoite antigen, Long lasting insecticidal nets, Osun State, Nigeri

Determination of an Annual Groundwater Recharge and Demand in Oke-Ero LGA, Kwara State, Nigeria

Efficient groundwater management, water consumption rate and quantitative determination of the amount of rainfall that recharges groundwater naturally is essential for a place like Oke-Ero LGA where  the people in Oke-Ero depend mainly on groundwater as the only source of water supply. In this work, an attempt has been made to evaluate the amount of rainfall that recharges aquifers using Krishna model with a view to knowing the groundwater potential of the area and determine the water consumption rate. This study established that Oke-Ero LGA has 65.7 million cubic meters (MCM) groundwater potential annually, from the survey output the average daily water demand in Oke-Ero is 75 l/c/d. The total water demands across the LGA based on 2016 population estimate is 2.11 MCM/year with anticipated increase of 4.34 MCM/year by 2040 and expected water demand increase rate of 3.2% annually. This work has ascertained that the available water is sufficient to take care of the water demand of the people in Oke-Ero LGA and it also shows that there is more water for other activities such as industrial purposes. Keywords - Groundwater potential, Groundwater recharge, Oke-Ero LGA, Water demand.

FARMERS’ PERCEPTION OF “LATOJU OJA†RADIO PROGRAMME IN IDDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Radio is noted to be one of the most important sources of reaching farmers in many developing countries because of its cheapness and wide coverage. The study assessed farmers’ perception of “Latoju Oja†radio programme of Radio Nigeria in Iddo Local Government of Oyo State Nigeria. Three major towns were purposively selected because of their high commercial and farming activities. From each town thirty-five respondents were selected using the snowball technique to make one hundred and five respondents for the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and chi-square analysis were used in analyzing the data obtained. The study revealed that 60% of the respondents were 40 years and above, 95% were male, 88% were married while majority (68.8%) of the respondents indicated that they had completed secondary school education, with very few (5%) attending tertiary institutions. The programme listened to “regularly†by the respondents on radio were news (75.2%), religious issues (51.2%) and agricultural issues (48.7%). On respondents’ frequency of listening to “Latoju Oja†programme, 57.5% listen regularly while 35% listen occasionally. The study revealed that the respondents are positively disposed to “Latoju Oja†radio programme.  Chi-square analysis showed that there were no significant associations between sex, religion, marital status and respondents’ perception, while age and educational level showed significant associations with farmers’ perception. In addition, Chi-square analysis showed that no significant association exists between the respondents’ listening frequency and perception of “Latoju Oja†Programme. The study concluded that more markets should be included in the radio programme, since farmers have positive disposition to the programme to enable farmers have a more detailed knowledge of commodities prices in more markets in the area.Â

Isothermal, kinetics and thermodynamics studies of the biosorption of Pb (II) ion from aqueous solution using the scale of croaker fish (Genyonemus lineatus)

Biosorbent prepared from the scale of croaker fish (Genyonemus lineatus) has been used for the removal of Pb(II) ion from aqueous solution in a batch system. The effects of some important parameters such as pH, initial metal concentration, temperature and biosorbent dosage on biosorption capacity were investigated. Equilibrium time for the biosorption process is 20 and 30 min at lower and higher concentrations, respectively. The process at 28 °C is in agreement with a pseudo-second-order kinetics model. The equilibrium data obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 14.58 mg g−1. The study showed that the sorption process depends on biomass dosage, temperature, pH and initial metal ion concentration. The calculated thermodynamics parameters (ΔGo, ΔHo and ΔSo) indicated that the biosorption of the metal ion onto fish scale is feasible, spontaneous and exothermic in nature

Biochemical Changes in Alloxan - Induced Diabetes Rat Liver and Kidney Dosed Artesunate

Diabetes is a disease marked by elevated blood sugar levels, and the second leading cause of renal diseases and blindness worldwide. Artesunate is an antimalarial drug, that has been reported to have hypoglycemic potential, but to the best of our knowledge, much work has not been done to explore the biochemical and clinical implications of administration of artesunate on a diabetic subject. This study investigates biochemical changes in terms of oxidative status associated with oral administration of artesunate on diabetic animal model. Twenty eight male Wistar rats weighing averagely 200g were divided into four groups of seven rats each, Group A-control, B- Diabetes only, C- Artesunate only, D- Diabetes + Artesunate. Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally, at a single dose of Alloxan(160mg/kg body weight(bw). Artesunate was administered orally in aqueous solution at 2.90mg/kg bw on day one, and at 1.45mg/kg bw on the subsequent 7days. Spectrophotometric technique was used for biochemical analysis in serum, kidney and liver homogenates. Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and Alanine amino transferase (ALT) activities as well as Creatinine concentration were significantly (P<0.05) increased in group B compared with control, while group D showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease compared with group B. Total protein concentration was significantly(P<0.05) increased in group B compared with control, while group D  showed an insignificant  decrease compared  with group B. Moreover, Superoxide dismutase(SOD) and Catalase(CAT) activities as well as  Reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration were significantly(P<0.05) decreased in group B compared with control, and were restored near to the control level significantly (P<0.05) in group D, compared with group B. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly (P<0.05) increased in group B compared with control, but was reversed significantly (P<0.05) in group D compared with group B. Artesunate ameliorates oxidative stress in diabetic rats liver and kidney, possess hypoglycemic effect, hence antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects of artesunate may be beneficial to diabetic liver and kidney. Keywords: Artesunate, Diabetes mellitus, Hypoglycemia, Alloxan, Antioxidant. DOI: 10.7176/ALST/72-03 Publication date:March 31st 201

Perturbation of spectra properties of 3,4-diphenyl thiophene by polar and non polar solvents

The UV/visible spectra of 3,4-diphenyl thiophene were obtained in various solvents (both polar and non polar). The wave number of transition energies, corresponding molar absorp-tivities and oscillation frequency were determined. Three bands were obtained in solvents such as cyclohexane, propan-2-ol, methanol and ether. Two bands are obtained in n-hexane and 1,2-dichloroethane, while 1,4-dioxane give a single band. Transitions are assigned to these bands according to their shift due to the effect of solvents

Microbial Quality of Public Swimming Pools in Lagos

The microbial quality of some public swimming pools in Lagos State, Nigeria was investigated to determine possible risks of infections to swimmers. Ten swimming pools (Pools AJ) were investigated for their microbial and physico-chemical qualities. The pH of the pools ranged from 5.24-8.71 and the residual chlorine ranged from 0.01-0.07. Water samples from the pools were cultured on differential and selective media. The microbial loads varied with different swimming pools. The fungal population ranged from 0-4.7× 10 4 cfu ml-1, while the bacterial population ranged from 0-1.12 x 10 5 cfu ml-1. Eight bacterial isolates were obtained and identified using Microbact 24E kit. Fungal isolates (6) were identified by microscopy, Gram’s staining and chloramphenicol test. The isolates include Aeromonas hydrophila (4), Burkolderia pseudomallei (2), Serratia marcescens (1), Enterobacter agglomerans (1), Candida albicans (3), Saccharomyces spp.(2) and Aspergillus flavus (1). Antifungal sensitivity test showed 50% susceptibility to nystatin and 50% resistance to voriconazole, while the bacteria were resistant to most of the antibiotic tested. The Multiple Antibiotics Resistance (MAR) index for the isolates ranged from 0.125 to 1.000. The feedback from the questionnaires administered, showed that unhygienic practices and maintenance of pools could contribute to low levels of swimming pool water quality. The high microbial loads and the types of microorganisms isolated from the pools show that contaminated swimming pools can constitute a serious public health hazard to the users