MACBenAbim: A Multi-platform Mobile Application for searching keyterms in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

Computational biology and bioinformatics are gradually gaining grounds in Africa and other developing nations of the world. However, in these countries, some of the challenges of computational biology and bioinformatics education are inadequate infrastructures, and lack of readily-available complementary and motivational tools to support learning as well as research. This has lowered the morale of many promising undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers from aspiring to undertake future study in these fields. In this paper, we developed and described MACBenAbim (Multi-platform Mobile Application for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics), a flexible user-friendly tool to search for, define and describe the meanings of keyterms in computational biology and bioinformatics, thus expanding the frontiers of knowledge of the users. This tool also has the capability of achieving visualization of results on a mobile multi-platform context

Moderating Effect of Institution in FDI-Growth Relationship in Developing Countries: A Case of Nigeria

This paper employed the good governance index as a proxy for institutional quality to examine its moderating effect on the FDI-growth relationship in Nigeria from 2006 to 2020. The ARDL bounds testing approach was employed as the technique of analysis to ascertain the direct impact of FDI on economic growth and the indirect impact through the moderating effect of institutional quality (good governance). The paper provides evidence of a long term relationship between FDI and economic growth as well as a significant unconditional positive impact of FDI on economic growth. Regarding the interactive effect of institutional quality (good governance) on the FDI-growth effect, we find convincing evidence that institutional quality (good governance) alters the effect of FDI on economic growth favourably. Therefore, it is recommended that Nigeria strengthen its governance quality to benefit more from FDI and achieve better economic growth results. Keywords: FDI, economic growth, Institutional quality, ARDL, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-22-07 Publication date: November 30th 202

Unemployment in Nigeria; A Challenge of Demographic Change?

With the current population of approximately 182million people (PRB, 2015); Nigeria is the most populous Black Country in the world. Arguments are ripe whether her ever-growing population is the sole factor responsible also for her continuous growth of unemployment. To answer this question, this paper extracted secondary data from Population Reference Bureau (PRB, 2003-2015), United Nations Annex Table (2012), International Monetary Fund (IMF, 2002-2015) and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS, 2003-2015) to prove whether unemployment is mainly caused by demographic change in Nigeria or there are other intrinsic factors responsible for this social challenge. A comparative analysis of the population and unemployment structure of three purposively selected and heavily populated countries in three different continents-Nigeria, China and USA were undertaken. Results show that population growth is not the SOLE factor responsible for increase in unemployment in Nigeria as unemployment statistics is stable for U.S. and China while their populations are growing, but the reverse is the case for Nigeria as both population and unemployment are growing. Recommendations were thereafter made to address other likely factors identified

GROWTH, GUT MORPHOLOGY AND MICROFLORA OF AFRICAN CATFISH Clarias gariepinus FED MUSHROOM (Pleurotus pulmonarius) STALK MEAL SUPPLEMENTED DIETS

U ovom istraživanju ispitan je učinak dodataka brašna od stabljiki gljive Pleurotus pulmonarius na rast, mikrofloru i morfologiju crijeva afričkog soma Clarias gariepinus. Brašno stabljike dodano je u količinama: 0,0 g / 100 g (kontrola); 2,5 g / 100 g (PSM 2), 5,0 g / 100 g (PSM 3), 7,5 g / 100 g (PSM 4) i 10,0 g / 100 g (PSM 5). Afrički somovi Clarias gariepinus (n = 375), s početnom masom od 10,84 ± 0,04 g, podijeljeni su sa po 25 riba u tankove od 60 litara u potpuno randomiziranom dizajnu za svaki hranidbeni tretman u tri ponavljanja. Hranidbeni pokus provodio se osam tjedana. Prirast, specifična stopa rasta, stopa preživljavanja, unos hrane i konverzija hrane se nisu značajno razlikovali između svih hranidbenih skupina. Međutim, indeks uspješnosti uzgoja ribe te indeks proteinske učinkovitosti bio je viši kod riba na PSM 3 dijeti u odnosu na druge tretmane. Ukupni broj održivih bakterija u crijevima kretao se u rasponu od 7,56 (PSM 2) do 8,34 log10 cfu / g (PSM 4), dok se broj bakterija mliječne kiseline kretao između 5,00 (kontrola) i 7,03 log10 cfu / g (PSM 3). Escherichia coli je identificirana u crijevima kontrolne skupine, ali nije pronađena kod skupina s dodatcima brašna stabljika gljiva. Pri usporedbi s ostalim hranidbenim skupinama, u kontrolnoj skupini opaženo je više kolonija vrsta Salmonela i Vibrio. Dužina proksimalnih, srednjih i distalnih crijevnih resica, proksimalna, srednja i distalna kriptalna dubina te proksimalno i distalno apsorpcijsko područje ribe hranjene suplementiranom hranom bili su veći od kontrole. Suprotno tome, proksimalna, srednja i distalna širina resica te srednja površina apsorpcije nisu se značajno razlikovali. Unatoč uočenoj povoljnoj mikroflori i histomorfologiji crijeva, kod ribe hranjene brašnom stabljike gljive P. pulmonarius, ovi se atributi nisu očitovali u indeksima rasta.Effects of dietary supplementation of Pleurotus pulmonarius stalk meal on growth, gut microflora and intestinal morphology of Clarias gariepinus were assessed in this study. The stalk meal was incorporated at 0.0 g/100 g (Control), 2.5 g/100 g (PSM 2), 5.0 g/100 g (PSM 3), 7.5 g/100 g (PSM 4) and 10.0 g/100 g (PSM 5). Clarias gariepinus (n=375), with an initial weight of 10.84±0.04 g, were allotted at 25 fish/60 litres of water in a completely randomised design for each diet treatment in triplicate. Feeding trial was conducted for eight weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate, survival rate, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different across all diet treatments. However, the production performance index of the fish and protein efficiency ratio were higher in fish fed PSM 3 diet than other treatments. Total viable bacteria count in the gut ranged from 7.56 (PSM 2) to 8.34 log10 cfu/g (PSM 4), while lactic acid bacteria count was between 5.00 (control) and 7.03 log10 cfu/g (PSM 3). Escherichia coli were identified in the gut of the control group but were not detected in those fed supplemented diets. More colonies of Salmonella and Vibrio species were observed in the control but fewer colonies in the diets supplemented groups. The proximal, middle and distal villus length, proximal, middle and distal cryptal depth, proximal and distal absorption area of fish fed supplemented diet were higher than those of the control. Conversely, proximal, middle and distal villus width and middle absorption area were not significantly different. In spite of observable favourable gut microflora and gut histomorphology of fish fed supplemental P. pulmonarius stalk meal diet, these attributes did not manifest in growth performance indices

Water Pollution: Effects, Prevention, and Climatic Impact

The stress on our water environment as a result of increased industrialization, which aids urbanization, is becoming very high thus reducing the availability of clean water. Polluted water is of great concern to the aquatic organism, plants, humans, and climate and indeed alters the ecosystem. The preservation of our water environment, which is embedded in sustainable development, must be well driven by all sectors. While effective wastewater treatment has the tendency of salvaging the water environment, integration of environmental policies into the actor firms core objectives coupled with continuous periodical enlightenment on the present and future consequences of environmental/water pollution will greatly assist in conserving the water environment

Evaluation of antioxidant potentials of different solvent-fractions of Dialium indium (African Black velvet tamarind) fruit pulp - in vitro

Plant phytonutrients have been harnessed for their various curative properties both in vitro and in vivo. In this study African black velvet tamarind (ABVT) fruit pulp was evaluated for it antioxidant potentials using chloroform and hexane fractions through different antioxidant parameters. In the results; total phenolic contents quantified in mg GAE/dried sample in chloroform and hexane extracts were; 14.57 ±5.85 and 9.78 ±4.61, total flavonoid contents in chloroform and hexane extracts as; 48.58 ±0.00 and 27.35 ±0.00 while the FRAP (µg AAE.g-1 dried sample) was lower in chloroform (298.10 ±0.00) than hexane extracts (1029.81 ±0.00). More also, ability of varied concentrations of the extracts (with their IC50) to cause inhibition against Fe2+-induced MDA that was determined by TBARS in rat's brain and liver tissue homogenates, Fe2+-chelating ability and other antioxidant assays, showed an appreciable significant (p <0.05) difference. The various antioxidant properties showed by ABVT has indicated that, if the pulp is incorporated in diet, it could serve as an alternative in managing various ROS-induced degenerative ailments as it has been clearly demonstrated in the protection of brain and liver homogenates from Fe2+-induced oxidative stress.&nbsp

Silver nanoparticle synthesis by Acalypha wilkesiana extract: phytochemical screening, characterization, influence of operational parameters, and preliminary antibacterial testing

© 2019, The Author(s). Introduction: The application of skin bleaching products to inhibit melanogenesis is a common practice within the African diaspora. Despite the adverse health effects of skin bleaching, rigorous studies investigating skin bleaching behavior among these populations in the United States are limited. In our P30 pilot study, we explored predictors of skin bleaching practice intensity among African and Afro-Caribbean women. Methods: In collaboration with our Community Engagement Core, we conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the relationship between demographic and psychosocial predictors and skin-bleaching-related practice patterns among African and Afro-Caribbean women in New York City. Results: Among the 76 participants recruited, the median age at the initiation of skin bleaching was 19.5 (16–25) years, yielding a median duration of 13.5 (6–23) years. Although pregnant women were not actively recruited for the study, 13.2% (n = 10) of the participants used skin bleaching products while pregnant or possibly breastfeeding. Nativeness and education were associated with various components of skin bleaching practice intensity, including duration of skin bleaching, daily use of products, and bleaching of the entire body. Participants’ perceived skin-color-related quality of life was not associated with skin bleaching practice intensity. Conclusion: Skin bleaching is a habitual practice that likely requires culturally sensitive interventions to promote behavioral change. The existence of prenatal and postnatal exposure to mercury, hydroquinone, and other potentially harmful chemicals in skin bleaching products highlights an urgent need to explore the adverse effects of skin bleaching practices on birth outcomes and the growth and neurodevelopment of young babies

Effect of operational parameters, characterization and antibacterial studies of green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Tithonia diversifolia

Background There is a growing interest in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extract because the technique is cost effective, eco-friendly and environmentally benign. This is phasing out the use of toxic and hazardous chemical earlier reported. Tithonia diversifolia is a wild sunflower that grows widely in the western part of Nigeria with a proven medicinal benefit. However, several studies carried out have left doubts on the basic operational parameters needed for the green synthesis of AgNPs. The objective of this work was to carry out green synthesis of AgNPs using T. diversifolia extract via an eco-friendly route through optimization of various operational parameters, characterization, and antimicrobial studies. Method Green synthesis of TD-AgNPs was done via bottom-up approach through wet chemistry technique using environmentally benign T. diversifolia plant extract as both reducing and stabilizing agent. Phytochemical Screening of the TD plant extract was carried out. Experimental optimization of various operational parameters—reaction time, concentration, volume ratio, and temperature was investigated. TD-AgNPs were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR Spectroscopy, SEM/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antimicrobial studies against multi drug resistant microorganisms (MDRM) were studied using the agar well diffusion method. Results This study reveals the importance of various operational parameters in the synthesis of TD-AgNPs. Excellent surface plasmon resonance peaks (SPR) were obtained at optimum experimental factors of 90 min reaction time under room temperature at 0.001M concentration with the volume ratio of 1:9 (TD extract:Ag ion solution). The synthesis was monitored using UV–Vis and maximum wavelength obtained at 430 nm was due to SPR. The morphology and elemental constituents obtained by TEM, SEM, and EDX results revealed a spherical shape of AgNPs with prominent peak of Ag at 3.0 kV in EDX spectrum. The crystallinity nature was confirmed by XRD studies. FTIR analysis proved presence of biomolecules functioning as reducing, stabilizing, and capping agents. These biomolecules were confirmed to be flavonoid, triterpenes, and saponin from phytochemical screening. The antimicrobial studies of TD-AgNPs were tested against MDRM—Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella enterica, and Bacillus subtilis. Discussion The variation of reaction time, temperature, concentration, and volume ratio played substantive and fundamental roles in the synthesis of TD-AgNPs. A good dispersion of small spherical size between 10 and 26 nm was confirmed by TEM and SEM. A dual action mechanism of anti-microbial effects was provided by TD-AgNPs which are bactericidal and membrane-disruption. Based on the antimicrobial activity, the synthesized TD-AgNPs could find good application in medicine, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and food science

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Comparative Adsorption Of Dyes Unto Activated Carbon Prepared From Maize Stems And Sugar Cane Stems.

Abstract: Comparative adsorption of dyes (bromophenol blue and methyl orange solution) was performed using activated carbon prepared from maize stem and sugarcane stem as low cost agricultural waste adsorbents. The two adsorbents were chemically activated using orthophosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide and zinc chloride. The ash content, percentage fixed carbon and effect of particle sizes were determined. The adsorption capacity of each sample was determined by decolourization of bromophenol blue solution. Three particle sizes (0.5 – 0.3μm, 0.3 – 0.125μm, and 0.125 – 0.112μm) were studied out of which 0.125 – 0.112μm has the highest quantity of solute adsorbed and this particle size was chosen for the adsorption studies. Of the six activated carbon samples prepared, activated carbon produced from maize stem using orthophosphoric acid, PMA, and activated carbon produced from sugar cane stem using orthophosphoric acid, PSA, have the highest quantity of solute adsorbed, 2.67mg/l and 2.66mg/l respectively and these compete comparatively with the commercial activated carbon (CAC) with 2.76mg/l. Their adsorption capacity is due to the highest percentage fixed carbon they both possess from the list of activated carbon prepared. The percentage fixed carbon of PMA and PSA were 84.88% and 84.80% respectively. The ability of these activated carbon samples to decolourise dye as compared with commercial activated carbon, CAC, and their low cost make them recommendable for treatment of dye from industrial effluent Keywords: Activated carbon, adsorption, chemical activation, dye