Comparative Performance of Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Bagasse and Parkia Biglobosa (Locust Bean) in Wastewater Treatment

The application of agricultural by-products for the removal of contaminants in water and wastewater is receiving significant attention as their applications reduce their level of the agricultural by-products in the environment there by reducing pollution. Activated carbons were formed from the saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) bagasse and parkia biglobosa (locust bean) pods and their effectiveness in the treatment of domestic wastewater were compared. The activated carbons were obtained from carbonised sugarcane bagasse and locust beanpod at a temperature of 350-500oC, followed by the modification with phosphoric acid for 12-18 hours. The result revealed that the parkia biglobosa recorded higher removal efficiencies of: Turbidity, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and nitrate than the saccharum officinarum. The parkia biglobosa recorded BOD removal efficiencies of: 77.19, 77.81, 78.13, 87.50, 90.63 and 93.75% at the dosages of: 0.25, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.75 and 5.00g/500ml, respectively; while the saccharum officinarum recorded removal efficiencies of: 15.63, 25.00, 34.38, 43.44, 46.88 and 65.00% at the same dosages, implying that the parkia biglobosa was more effective than saccharum officinarum. In terms of turbidity, the saccharum officinarum recorded removal efficiencies of: 5.44, 17.86, 31.90, 34.29, 46.51 and 57.02%, respectively at the dosages of: 0.25, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.75 and 5.00g/500ml; while parkia biglobosa recorded removal efficiencies of: 14.99, 25.50, 37.63, 43.84, 56.07 and 68.39%.The study also revealed that the higher the dosages, the higher the removal efficiencies of the organic and inorganic pollutants. It was recommended that removal of heavy metals using the parkia biglobosa and saccharum officinarum should be studied to ascertain their effectiveness in such dimension.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v34i4.2

Triterpenoids from Gutenbergia nigritana(Benth).Oliv and Hiern

Gutenbergia nigritana (Benth).Oliv and Hein (Asteraceae) is a Nigerian ethnomedicinal plant which has long being used medicinally in traditional systems of medicine.The plant has diverse ethnomedicinal uses which include: The Plant is used in the Ijaw area of Niger Delta region of Nigeria to treat Malaria,convulsion,diarrhea and as a remedy for skin infection. The antibacterial study on dichloromethane extract and chromatographic fractions:dichloromethane soluble part(DC1),ethyl acetate soluble part(E1) and N-butanol soluble portions of methanolic extract were investigated using agar diffusion assay method by measuring the zone of inhibition against clinical isolates: Bacillus subtillis,Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Extensive Chromatographic separation and preparative TLC were employed in the isolation steps. Column chromatograpy of the dichloromethane extract, gel filteration on sephadex and preparative TLC led to the isolation of two triterpenoids: Lupenol(1) and Lupenol acetate(2). The structures were elucidatedby NMR spectroscopy and compared with literature. The dichloromethane extract exhibited antibacterial activity against all the test microorganisms with zones of inhibition ranging between 12-26mm. The chromatographic fraction (Fr-6) exhibited activity against E.coli,Ps.aeruginosa and S.aureus but in-active against B.subtilis, while the methanol soluble portions:dichloromethane and ethyl acetate showed weak activity while the n-butanol portion was in active. Dichloromethane extract of Gutenbergia nigritana leaves exhibited anti-bacterial activity, though the compounds isolated did not show activity, it is likely that the activity might reside in other components present in the dichloromethane extract.Key words: Lupenol, Lupenol acetate,antibacterial activity

Chemical constituents from the stem bark of Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth (Fabaceae)

Background: Plants have served as source of lead discovery in drug development; there is the need to look into our ethnomedicinal plants for the purpose of identifying bioactive antibacterial agents to combat the growing antibacterial resistance to current drugs.Objective: The present study investigated the antibacterial activity of the extract and soluble fractions of Pentaclethra macrophylla against some selected pathogens and isolation of active constituents using chromatography and spectroscopic techniques.Materials and methods: The pulverized stem bark of P. macrophylla was extracted to exhaustion with 70% methanol and the combined crude methanol extract after removal of solvent was partitioned with ethyl acetate and n-butanol to give ethyl acetate and n-butanol soluble fractions. Antibacterial activity was evaluated on the crude methanol extract,ethylacetate and n-butanol fractions against five pathogenic bacteria using agar diffusion assay method. The active ethylacetate and n-butanol fractions were subjected to Column chromatography and subsequent purification over sephadex LH-20 afforded compounds I, II and III. The structures of these compounds were elucidated using NMR and MS and are reported in this plant for the first time.Results: Antibacterial activity showed that the extract and fractions at 10mg/mL showed activity against B. subtilis with zones of inhibition of 8.0 ± 2.89, 16.0 ±1.73 and 9.5 ± 1.78 respectively for 70% methanol extract, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions. Ethyl acetate soluble fraction at (10mg/mL) had a good activity against B. subtilis and S. aureus with inhibition zones of 16.0 and13.5mm compared with Levofloxacin (1.5μg/mL) having zones diameter of 21.1 and 16.6mm, however, none of the extract or fractions showed activity against K. pneumonae. Compound I was identified as methyl gallate, compound II: Bergenin and compound III: 11-O-galloylbergenin. The structures of these compounds were elucidated using NMR and ESI-MS and compared with literature.Conclusion: Finding from this work showed that the ethylacetate fraction is the most active and compounds I, II were isolated from the fraction, while the n-butanol furnished compound III. These compounds are being reported for the first time in this plant and have been known to possess antibacterial activity, thereby given credence to the ethnomedicinal use of this plant against infections.Keywords: Pentaclethra macrophylla, Antibacterial, Methyl gallate, Bergenin, 11-O-galloylbergeni

Finding lasting solutions to the early deterioration of constructed roads in Nigeria

The socioeconomic benefits of having good roads is hardly realized in most developing countries, due to the fact that most constructed roads tend to deteriorate very rapidly before their expected life span. Several factors have been identified by different researchers to be the cause of this problem. This paper tried to find solutions to some of these factors using three phases of route survey and design of roadways, namely; route location, data acquisition, and geometric design. The results showed that most of the factors that facilitate early deterioration of constructed roads could be solved through the processes involved in the three phases of route survey and design of roadways. The paper concluded that route survey and design of roadways thoroughly addresses and solves most of the factors that facilitate early deterioration of constructed roads.Keywords: Route survey, Route location, Data acquisition, Geometric design, Roadway deterioratio

Phytochemical, analgesic and anti-inflammatory studies of the methanol leaf extract of Commiphora mollis (Oliv.) Engl. (Burseraceae)

Introduction: Commiphora mollis is used in African traditional medicine as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungi, anti-oxidant as well as cytotoxic and cytostatic agent.Objective: To carry out phytochemical, analgesic and anti-inflammatory studies on the methanol leaf extract of Commiphora mollis.Methods: The powdered leaf material of Commiphoral mollis was extracted with methanol and partitioned using hexane, chloroform and ethylacetate. The methanol leaf extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening while the fractions were studied using column chromatography for the isolation of compounds. The structure of the isolated compound was established by spectral analysis using UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The methanol leaf extract was also subjected to acute toxicity, analgesic and anti- inflammatory studies using animal models.Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening of the methanol leaf extract revealed the presence of terpenes, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and carbohydrates. The column chromatography of the chloroform and ethylacetate fractions led to the isolation of a  curcuminiod compound. The results of intrapretoneal LD50 were 1385.64 mg/kg in mice and 3807.8 mg/kg in rats. The analgesic studies were carried out at doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight i.p. using acetic acid-induced writhing and thermally-induced pain in mice. The extract significantly P<0.05 inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice with highest protection (89.40%) produced at the dose (300 mg/kg) which compare well with the standard drug piroxicam (10 mg/kg). The extract also significantly (P<0.05) increased the reaction time in a dose dependant manner to the thermal stimulus. The extract at 150 mg/kg body weight i.p showed 2.5 ± 0.43 seconds reaction time which was greater than the standard drug pentazocine at 10mg/kg (2.17 ± 0.31 seconds). The carrageenan-induced paw oedema test was employed in investigating the antiinflammatory activity in rats at doses of 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight i.p. The extract inhibited hind paw oedema at all doses tested. The standard drug ketoprofen produces (91.30%) inhibition which is  greater than that of the test groups (40, 50 and 60% respectively).Conclusion: The results indicated that the methanol leaf extract possess significant dose dependant analgesic activity (P < 0.05) and significant (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, the traditional use of the plant for treatment of pain and inflammation is justified in this study.Keywords: Curcuminoid, Commiphora mollis, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Phytochemical constituents

Sonographic evaluation of the common bile duct size in normal adults at university of maiduguri teaching hospital, Nigeria

Despite ultrasound safety, affordability and its widespread use in evaluation of the diseases of biliary tree, paucity of literature on the sonographic measurements of the size of the normal adult common bile duct (CBD) in this environment exists. Objectives: To determine the normal adult diameter of the CBD in this environment using ultrasonography. Methods: This was a cross-sectional prospective study carried out at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between January to June, 2011. Results: There were 224(56%) females and 176(44%) males aged between18 and 87 years (Mean±SD, 36.88 ±16.97 years). The mean AP and transverse CBD diameters (±SD) were 3.68±0.82mm and 3.89±0.86mm, respectively. The average mean for the two measurements (± SD) was 3.78±0.84mm (range = 2.0 – 6.0 mm). The mean transverse diameter was slightly greater than AP diameter (p = 0.0004).The CBD diameter was strongly correlated with age (r = 2 0.798; p = 0.000; r = 0.629). The least squares regression slope of 0.039mm±0.001 (mean±SD) was obtained suggesting 0.039mm±0.001 increase in the CBD diameter per year. There was significant correlation between the CBD diameter with weight (r = 0.504; p = 0.000) and BMI (r = 0.454; p = 0.000). No significant difference between the mean CBD diameter in males and females (p= 0.084)was observed. Conclusion: The mean and range of CBD size in normal adult population were determined and significantly correlated with age, weight, and BMI

Novel cholinesterase inhibitory effect of α-spinasterol isolated from the leaves of Acacia auriculiformis A. CUNN Ex. Benth (Fabaceae)

Purpose: To investigate the in vitro anticholinesterase, α-glucosidase and antioxidant activities of α-spinasterol isolated from Acacia auriculiformis leaves.Methods: The powdered leaves of Acacia auriculiformis were extracted with 70 % ethanol and the dried hydroalcoholic extract was suspended in water and partitioned with ethyl acetate and n-butanol to give their soluble fractions. The in vitro inhibitory activities of α-spinasterol were determined against cholinesterase and, α-glucosidase enzymes, and free radical scavenging potentials using (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydarzyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis (3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) antioxidantassays.Results: The compound, α-spinasterol, exhibited moderate anticholinesterase activity (IC50 value of 44.19±2.59 μg/mL which was significantly  different at (p < 0.05) when compared to the standard galanthamine (IC50 value of 1.73 ± 1.10 μg/mL). It also displayed a good α-glucosidase  inhibitory activity with IC``` value of 8.65 ± 1.71μg/mL which was not significantly different when compared to the standard, acarbose with IC50 value of 2.79±0.81 μg/mL. This compound, however, exhibited weak free radical scavenging activities at 26.93 ± 0.00 and 35.16 ±.0.26 % inhibition of DPPH+ and ABTS+ radicals as compared to ascorbic acid and Trolox (73.88 ± 0.04 and 99.82 ± 0.00%) respectively.Conclusion: The results show that α-spinasterol isolated from Acacia auriculiformis exerts potent inhibitory effect against cholinesterase enzyme which might serve as a lead in the search for drugs against Alzheimer disease and diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Acacia auriculiformis, α-Spinasterol, Galanthamine, Acarbose, Trolox, Ascorbic aci

Effects of Computer Assisted Instruction on Secondary School Mathematics Students\u27 Spatial Ability, Achievement and Attitude in Niger State, Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of computer assisted instruction on secondary school mathematics students\u27 spatial visualization ability, achievement and attitude in Niger State. Three (3) research questions and their corresponding hypotheses guide the study. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design using pretest posttest non-equivalent, non randomized control group. The instruments for data collection were Geometry Achievement Test (GAT), Spatial Ability Test (SAT), and Mathematics and Technology Attitude Scale (MTAS) validated by six senior lecturers. The target population were all SS II mathematics students in the 150 senior Secondary Schools in three educational zones of Niger State. The sample consisted of 330 SS II (178 males and 152 females) from nine secondary schools. In each school, a stream (arm) of SS II class was randomly selected and used for the study. The three groups were pretested using GAT and SAT to determine their entry-level equivalence, while the post-test instruments are SAT and MTAS administered after six (6) weeks of instruction. The finding of the study revealed that the males outperform than females in spatial ability tasks and had higher positive attitude towards learning mathematics with technology. The study recommend mathematics teachers and instructors should adopt modern teaching pedagogies that are learner-centred and provides platform the development of spatial skills in children and adult a likes

Experience in the use of epidural anaesthesia

Background: Epidural anaesthesia is applicable for a wide range of surgical procedures and offers distinct advantages over general and spinal anaesthesia. It is however underutilised in our environment. We report a one year experience in the use of this technique. Our objective is to describe a one year experience in the use of epidural anaesthesia with emphasis on the scope and safety in our institution. Method: A retrospective study of all patients that had epidural anaesthesia over a one year period for different procedures. Case notes and anaesthetic records were studied and analysed using EPI info 3.2.1. software. Results: Thirty two patients had epidural anaesthesia over the period. Majority (18cases) were caesarean sections (56.3%). There were 9 general surgical cases (28.1%), four gynaecologic (12.0%) and one orthopaedic (3.1%) cases. Of the five complications observed (15.6%), only two could be traced to the technique of anaesthesia and the lone mortality (3.1%) was unconnected. Conclusion: We conclude that epidural anaesthesia is applicable to a wide range of procedures within and across disciplines in our practice and is both easy to performand safe. Key words: epidural anaesthesia, scope, safety, our practice