Malocclusion and occlusal traits among orthodontic patients seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and trend of malocclusion and occlusal traits among orthodontic patients in Benin City. Method: One hundred and thirty one patients, consisting of 71 females (54.2%) and 60 males (45.8%) aged 5 - 44 years (mean 17.9 ± 7.5 years) who presented for orthodontic treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Dental Centre were assessed for sagittal molar occlusion, overjet, overbite, crossbite, open bite, crowding, spacing, median diastema, midline shift, malformed and supernumerary teeth, displaced, unerupted and impacted teeth. Statistical gender differences in the occlusal traits were evaluated with the chi-square test. Result: The results revealed high prevalence of Angle\u27s class I malocclusion (71.8%), while 9.9% of the subjects had Angle\u27s Class II division 1, 7.6% had Angle\u27s Class II division 2 and 10.7% had Angle\u27s class III malocclusion. An increased overjet greater than 3.5mm was observed in 43% while increased overbite was observed in 25.2%. Anterior open bite was seen in 8.4% while 21.4% and 12.2% had anterior and posterior crossbites respectively. Midline shift was present in 29.8%, crowding of both upper and lower anterior segments was observed in 47.3%, spacing in the upper and lower anterior segments was present in 22.1%, and midline diastema was observed in 21.4%. No statistically significant gender differences were observed for any of the occlusal variables evaluated (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed high prevalence of class I malocclusion, increased overjet and crowding among the orthodontic patients seen in Benin City, Nigeria

Metal analyses of ash derived alkalis from banana and plantain peels (Musa spp.) in soap making

The objective of this work was to determine the metal content of plantain and banana peels ash derived alkali and the possibility of using it as alternate and cheap source of alkali in soap industry. This was done by ashing the peels and dissolving it in de-ionised water to achieve the corresponding hydroxides with pH above 12. The solution was then analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The analytical measurements were carried out in triplicate and the multi elemental solution was used for calibration of equipment. The abundance of essential metals was in these orders in both the banana and plantain alkalis: K > Fe > Ca > Mg > Mn > Zn > Na and Fe > K > Ca > Mg > Zn > Mn > Na, respectively. The presence of other metals besides K and Na at higher concentrations limits the foamability of the soaps but could be adapted as thickeners and emulsifiers in greases. The concentrations of elements with health risk in the ash derived alkalis are within the allowable range of the Commission of European Communities (2008) limit.Key words: Banana, plantain, ash derived alkali, major elements, minor elements

Studies on Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Pimples

Background and Objective: Pimples (acne) are small skin lesions or inflammations of the skin. The most common factor causing acne is the hormonal changes that occur during adolescent and teenage years. Antibiotics are becoming less effective in the treatment of pimples due to increasing concerns of antibiotic resistance. This study was therefore carried out to characterize the isolates from the pimples of Covenant University Students and to determine their antibiotics sensitivity pattern. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 swab samples were obtained from male and female students with obvious signs of pimples in Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. The samples obtained were cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar and incubated at 37EC. Pure isolates obtained were subjected to Gram staining and other biochemical tests for identification. The isolates were further subjected to antibiotics sensitivity tests using antibiotic dics. Results: Macroscopic examination indicated that the organisms were convex, smooth and shiny. Microscopic examination revealed that the isolates were positive after employing the Gram Staining technique and they appeared as grape-like clusters. Biochemical tests revealed that the isolates were Coagulase positive, Catalase positive, Urease positive, Citrate positive, Methyl-Red positive, Voges-Proskauer negative and negative upon starch hydrolysis. The sugar fermentation tests revealed that the isolates fermented Glucose, Maltose, Galactose, Sucrose and Lactose, respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility test showed that isolates were resistant to Cotrimazole, Cloxacillin, Erythromycin, Gentamycin, Augmentin, Streptomycin, Tetracycline and Chloramphenicol. Conclusion: The results therefore indicated that the isolates were Staphylococcus aureus and other staphylococci species. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics should be avoided to prevent the development of resistant strains of the Staphylococci genera and other pathogenic organisms

Studies on Co-Infection of Plasmodium falciparum and Salmonella Spp. in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Salmonella and Plasmodium infections are major health challenges especially in regions where malaria is highly endemic. Studies were carried out to determine the incidence of co-infection of Salmonella spp and Plasmodium falciparum among subjects that present with fever at the Covenant University Health Centre and Ota General Hospital between September, 2011 and May, 2012. Salmonella infection was detected by comparing two diagnostic methods: serology and culture on the blood samples collected. Widal test was carried out by detecting the ‘O’ and ‘H’ antigens in the blood and the blood samples were cultured using Thioglycolate broth and Salmonella Shigella agar. Plasmodium infection was confirmed through microscopic examination of Giemsa stained thick and thin films of the same blood samples. Out of the 84 samples collected, 45.2% was positive for Salmonella and Plasmodium co-infection by Widal test with positive titre ≥ 1/80. Only 3.6% was confirmed for co-infection of Salmonella and Plasmodium Species when Salmonella infection was detected by culture. Among the 84 subjects 73.8% was positive for malaria alone and 67.9% for Salmonella infection alone. Laboratory confirmation of co-infection of malaria and Salmonella is essential to prevent wrong treatment and misdiagnosis

Studies on Co-Infection of Plasmodium falciparum and Salmonella Spp. in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Salmonella and Plasmodium infections are major health challenges especially in regions where malaria is highly endemic. Studies were carried out to determine the incidence of co-infection of Salmonella spp and Plasmodium falciparum among subjects that present with fever at the Covenant University Health Centre and Ota General Hospital between September, 2011 and May, 2012. Salmonella infection was detected by comparing two diagnostic methods: serology and culture on the blood samples collected. Widal test was carried out by detecting the ‘O’ and ‘H’ antigens in the blood and the blood samples were cultured using Thioglycolate broth and Salmonella Shigella agar. Plasmodium infection was confirmed through microscopic examination of Giemsa stained thick and thin films of the same blood samples. Out of the 84 samples collected, 45.2% was positive for Salmonella and Plasmodium co-infection by Widal test with positive titre ≥ 1/80. Only 3.6% was confirmed for co-infection of Salmonella and Plasmodium Species when Salmonella infection was detected by culture. Among the 84 subjects 73.8% was positive for malaria alone and 67.9% for Salmonella infection alone. Laboratory confirmation of co-infection of malaria and Salmonella is essential to prevent wrong treatment and misdiagnosis

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS IN RABBITS EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 ISOLATES OF DIFFERENT VIRULENCE GENE PROFILES

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a major cause of zoonotic food-borne infections transmissible from asymptomatic animals to humans following consumption of contaminated foods. Pathogenicity of E. coli O157:H7 is attributed to possession of virulence genes such as eaeA and stx responsible for intimate adhesion to enterocytes and production of cytolethal shiga toxins. The pathogenic potentials of five E. coli O157:H7 isolates of different virulence gene profiles recovered from the faeces of slaughter cattle was compared in rabbit model. Five groups (A-E) of five rabbits were each inoculated orally with 5 x 109 colony forming units of an E. coli O157:H7 isolate possessing one of the virulence gene profiles: stx1 / stx2 / eaeA / hlyA (group A), stx1 /stx2 (B), stx1 (C), stx2 (D), and eaeA / hlyA (E). Group F (control) received sterile broth. The mean onset and duration of clinical manifestations varied significantly among the experimental groups being earliest and shortest in group infected with E. coli O157:H7 possessing stx1 / stx2 /eaeA / hlyA. Infected rabbits showed clinical signs including dullness, profuse non-bloody diarrhoea, weakness, anorexia and epistaxis starting from two days post infection (p.i.). Epistaxis was observed only in rabbits inoculated with isolates that possessed stx2 either alone or in combination with other virulence genes. Mortality of 100% was recorded in isolates with stx1 /stx2 /eaeA / hlyA, stx1 / stx2 and stx2­ and 60% with stx1 and eaeA / hlyA.  Test organisms were detected in the faeces of inoculated animals as from two days p.i. and persisted in survivors for 19 to 30 days p.i. This study showed that E. coli O157:H7 isolates from cattle produced fatal illness in experimental rabbits and that virulence gene profile significantly influenced the onset, duration and severity of clinical manifestation of infection in the experimental animals.     &nbsp

SCREENING AND PARTIAL PURIFICATION OF AMYLASE FROM ASPERGILLUS NIGER ISOLATED FROM DETERIORATED TOMATO (LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM MILL.) FRUITS

Amylases (EC 3.2.1.1) are cellwall degrading enzymes associated with the pathogenicity of microorganisms in the spoilage of tomato fruits. The use of amylase in many industries has made it very important to optimize production process to achieve maximum yields. Screening and partial purification of Amylase from Aspergillus niger isolated from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruits was studied. Amylase producing fungi were isolated from fresh tomatoes kept at ambient temperature (28±1˚C). Isolates were characterized on the basis of their morphological and cultural techniques. Partial purification of amylase was carried out by ammonium sulphate precipitation. The enzyme activity was determined and optimum conditions were obtained. The molecular weights of the crude and partially purified Amylase were determined by SDS PAGE method. A total of five isolates were obtained using basic screening technique for amylase activity, one of the isolates (Isolate code F2) exhibited maximum amylase activity. The fungi isolate code F2 was identified as Aspergillus niger. Optimum conditions for Amylase AMY F2 were ascertained at pH 6.0; temperature 30°C; substrate concentration of 0.3mg/ml, and time of heating of less than 10min. The molecular weights of the crude and partially purified Amylase AMY F2 were found to be 55kDa and 35kDa respectively by SDS PAGE method. Microorganisms had been an encouraging means of economical production of enzymes in large scale for the food and drug industry

Screening and partial purification of amylase from Aspergillus Niger isolated from deteriorated tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum mill.) fruits

Amylases (EC 3.2.1.1) are cellwall degrading enzymes associated with the pathogenicity of microorganisms in the spoilage of tomato fruits. The use of amylase in many industries has made it very important to optimize production process to achieve maximum yields. Screening and partial purification of Amylase from Aspergillus niger isolated from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruits was studied. Amylase producing fungi were isolated from fresh tomatoes kept at ambient temperature (28±1˚C). Isolates were characterized on the basis of their morphological and cultural techniques. Partial purification of amylase was carried out by ammonium sulphate precipitation. The enzyme activity was determined and optimum conditions were obtained. The molecular weights of the crude and partially purified Amylase were determined by SDS PAGE method. A total of five isolates were obtained using basic screening technique for amylase activity, one of the isolates (Isolate code F2) exhibited maximum amylase activity. The fungi isolate code F2 was identified as Aspergillus niger. Optimum conditions for Amylase AMY F2 were ascertained at pH 6.0; temperature 30°C; substrate concentration of 0.3mg/ml, and time of heating of less than 10min. The molecular weights  f the crude and partially purified Amylase AMY F2 were found to be 55kDa and 35kDa respectively by SDS PAGE method. Microorganisms had been an encouraging means of economical production of enzymes in large scale for the food and drug industry. Keywords: Amylase, Partial Purification, Enzyme, Tomato Fruits Rendement et purification partielle de l'amylase de Aspergillus Niger isolé à partir de tomate déterioré (Lycopersicon Esculentum mill.) fruitsLes amylases (EC 3.2.1.1) sont des enzymes dégradant les parois cellulaires associées à la pathogénicité des microorganismes dans la détérioration des fruits à la tomate. L'utilisation de l'amylase dans de nombreuses industries a rendu très important d'optimiser le processus de production pour obtenir des rendements maximaux. Le dépistage et la purification partielle de l'amylase d'Aspergillus niger isolés à partir des fruits à la tomate (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Ont été étudiés. Les champignons producteurs d'amylase ont été isolés à partir de tomates fraîches conservées à température ambiante (28 ± 1 ° C). Les isolats ont été caractérisés en fonction de leurs techniques morphologiques et culturelles. La purification partielle de l'amylase a été réalisée par précipitation au sulfate d'ammonium. L'activité enzymatique a été déterminée et des conditions optimales ont été obtenues. Les poids moléculaires de l'Amylase brut et partiellement purifiée ont été déterminés par un procédé SDS PAGE. Au total, cinq isolats ont été obtenus en utilisant une technique de dépistage basique pour l'activité amylase, l'un des isolats (code isolé F2) présentait une activité amylase maximale. Le code isolant F2 des Fusions a été identifié comme Aspergillus niger. Les conditions optimales pour Amylase AMY F2 ont été déterminées à pH 6,0; température 30 ° C; concentration de substrat de 0,3 mg / ml et temps de chauffage de moins de 10 min. On a trouvé que les poids moléculaires de l'amylase brute et partiellement purifiée étaient respectivement de 55 kDa et 35 kDa par le procédé SDS PAGE. Les microorganismes ont été un moyen encourageant de production économique d'enzymes à grande échelle pour l'industrie alimentaire et pharmaceutique.Mots-clés: Amylase, Purification partielle, Enzyme, Fruits tomate

Pectinase Production by Aspergillus niger using Pineapple Peel Pectin and Its Application in Coconut Oil Extraction

Pectinases, like other industrial enzymes are usually expensive. The use of pineapple peel pectin as substrate is triggered by the large tones of pineapple waste generated in Nigeria. Oil extraction by mechanical/chemical means have associated disadvantages. This research aimed at employing locally produced pectinase for coconut-oil extraction and to compare the yield with commercial pectinase. Fifty grammes of dried pineapple peel powder were employed for pectin production. Aspergillus niger isolated from cassava meal was employed to produce pectinase using submerged fermentation for seven days. The activity of pectinase was determined at 24 h interval. The pectinase was partially purified using 3% activated carbon, characterized and employed to extract oil from coconut. The yield of pectin from the pineapple peels was 24.8% after 1 h of extraction time. Highest pectinase activity was observed on day five. Optimum conditions were 40oC, 5.0 and 1% respectively for temperature, pH and substrate concentration. The enzyme was completely inactive after 5 min of heating at 90oC and metal ion (Mg2+) stimulated its activity. The mean oil yield from the locally produced pectinase was greater than the commercial pectinase. The pectinase produced from this study enhanced coconut-oil extraction when compared with the mechanical method

Studies on Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Pimples

Background and Objective: Pimples (acne) are small skin lesions or inflammations of the skin. The most common factor causing acne is the hormonal changes that occur during adolescent and teenage years. Antibiotics are becoming less effective in the treatment of pimples due to increasing concerns of antibiotic resistance. This study was therefore carried out to characterize the isolates from the pimples of Covenant University Students and to determine their antibiotics sensitivity pattern. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 swab samples were obtained from male and female students with obvious signs of pimples in Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. The samples obtained were cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar and incubated at 37EC. Pure isolates obtained were subjected to Gram staining and other biochemical tests for identification. The isolates were further subjected to antibiotics sensitivity tests using antibiotic dics. Results: Macroscopic examination indicated that the organisms were convex, smooth and shiny. Microscopic examination revealed that the isolates were positive after employing the Gram Staining technique and they appeared as grape-like clusters. Biochemical tests revealed that the isolates were Coagulase positive, Catalase positive, Urease positive, Citrate positive, Methyl-Red positive, Voges-Proskauer negative and negative upon starch hydrolysis. The sugar fermentation tests revealed that the isolates fermented Glucose, Maltose, Galactose, Sucrose and Lactose, respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility test showed that isolates were resistant to Cotrimazole, Cloxacillin, Erythromycin, Gentamycin, Augmentin, Streptomycin, Tetracycline and Chloramphenicol. Conclusion: The results therefore indicated that the isolates were Staphylococcus aureus and other staphylococci species. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics should be avoided to prevent the development of resistant strains of the Staphylococci genera and other pathogenic organisms