Synthesis and characterization of iron (ii) and nickel (ii) schiff base complexes

The complexes of iron (II) and nickel (II) with schiff base derived from benzoin and 2-amino benzoic acid have been prepared. Solubility, melting point, decomposition temperature, conductance measurement, infrared (IR) and UV – Visible spectrophotometric studies were used in characterizing the compounds. The melting point of the schiff base determined is 120oC. The decomposition temperatures of iron (II) and nickel (II) complexes are 152oC and 155oC, while the molar conductance values are 11.2 and 10.7 ohm-cm2mol-1, respectively. The UV-Visible spectrophotometric analysis revealed 1:1 (metal-ligand) stoichiometry for the two complexes. Keywords: Schiff base, conductivity, azomethine, benzoin, spectrophotometry

Design and Implementation of an Arduino Based Light Dependent Alarm System

This paper is based on design and implementation of an Arduino based alarm system which is capable of monitoring the illumination of the surrounding automatically. Once the presence or absence of light is detected accordingly, a control device is activated which sends a sound alarm to a buzzer connected to the output of the system.  Waking up early from sleep has always become a challenge most especially after a very hectic and busy engagement during the previous day time, this makes waking up early the next morning to meet up with the activities of the day a challenge. The components used for carrying out this study include Light Dependent Resistor, a control unit and an output buzzer unit. The LDR works on the principle of change of resistance based on the amount of luminous energy in its environment at that moment of time, once an illumination is detected, an Arduino Uno board was used to send a signal to the buzzer that generates sound when the intensity of light increases. The test conducted showed that the LDR resistance decreased as illuminance on the LDR increased; the illuminance ranges at which the buzzer was triggered was between 100-1000lux

INTESTINAL HELMINTHIASIS AMONG CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN SOME HOSPITALS IN KANO METROPOLIS

Infection with parasitic helminthes is often recognized as one of the important public health problems in tropical Africa. The majority of this infection occurs in resource-limited settings like Sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthes among children and adults in some hospitals in Kano metropolis. The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 134 stool samples where 84 were collected from children and 50 from adults. The samples were examined usingdirect wet mount and formol-ether concentration technique. The overall prevalence of intestinal helminth infection observed was 11.2%. In the study, three different parasites were identified. These include Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuristrichura and Hookworm. In terms of isolation rate, Hookworm was the commonest intestinal helminth observed in children 5 (50%) while Ascarislumbricoides was the most isolated 3 (60%) in adults

Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Copper (II) Complex with a Schiff base Derived from 2 – Hydroxy – 1 – naphthaldehyde and Ethylenediammine

Synthesis of Copper (II) complex with a Schiff base derived from the condensation of 2 – hydroxyl-1-naphthaldehyde and ethylenediammine was carried out. Solubility, melting/decomposition temperature, molar conductance, potentiometric as well as uv-visible spectrophotometric studies were carried out. The pKa of the Schiff base was determined potentiometrically and checked using ORIGIN 50 method. Potentiometric studies revealed 1:1 metal to ligand ratio. Job’s method of continuous variation also revealed 1:1 metal to ligand ratio. Molar conductance measurements showed that the complex is non electrolyte with very high stability constant value. Gibb’s free energy determination showed that the complex is very stable as shown by the high decomposition temperature measurements.Keywords: Complex, Potentiometry, Schiff base, Stability constan

Preliminary phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of leave extract of Albizia chevalieri harms (Leguminoseae-Mimosoideae)

Antioxidant evaluation of Albizia chevalieri used in Northern Nigerian traditional medicine, was carried out using the free radical scavenging activity of the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), total phenolics content and reducing power assay on the methanol leave extract. The results of the DPPH scavenging activity study indicate a concentration dependent antioxidant activity with 59.588, 68.477, 77.240, 85.925 and 94.732% of various concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 125 and 250μg/ml of the extract respectively. The total phenolic content was found to be 60.20 mg/g Gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and the reducing power of 0.071±0.03nm was obtained. The DPPH scavenging activity of the extract was found to be promising. There is no significant difference (

The Sero-Prevalence of Parvovirus Antibodies among Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Zaria

Parvovirus is an erythrovirus that infects red cell precursors in individuals with conditions characterised by a high red cell turnover like sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia. Arthritis, vasculitis, carditis, bone marrow failure, and the slapped cheek appearance have been associated with Parvovirus B19 infection. Recurrent blood transfusion is a risk factor for the B19 serotype of Parvovirus infection, with the P antigen as the mediator for erythroid invasion presenting as transient erythroblastopaenia (TEB). Although TEB is self-limiting a few cases may progress to aplastic anaemia. Previous studies report seroprevalence rates of between 44 and 71%, but the dearth of data on the seroprevalence of B19 parvovirus strain in our region prompted this study. Venous blood samples from 239 children aged 1to 15 years of consenting parents and guardians were screened for Parvovirus B19 IgG antibodies using the ELISA technique and antibody titer assessed spectrophotometrically. All the participants have sickle cell anaemia, but were in the steady state. Of this serum samples from 204 (85.4%) participants were positive for IgG antibodies against Parvovirus B19 while 35 (14.6%) were negative for the IgG antibodies.). The age-group with the highest prevalence is 10-12year group with seroprevalence rate of 88.9%. The overall seroprevalence of Parvovirus B19 antibodies is 85.4 %. The seroprevalence of Parvovirus B19 antibodies is high in all socio-economic groups. Antibody prevalence is higher in thenon-transfused group suggesting that other factors than transfusion play a role in the spread of the B19 strain of Parvovirus B19

Prevalence of extended spectrum β-lactamases (esbls) among enterobacteriaceae in murtala mohammed specialist hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Confirmed variants of enterobacteriaceae isolated from 143 patients that attended Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, were screened for extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) production using Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoint. Suspected ESBLs producers were subjected to confirmation using Disc Replacement Method (DRM). Standard discs of augmentin {AMC 30μg (Oxoid, England)}, ceftriaxone {AUF 30μg (Oxoid, England)} and ceftazidime {RP 30μg (Oxoid, England)} were used in the screening. Of the 143 isolates screened, 114 (79.72%) were Gram negative isolates belonging to the family enterobacteriaceae. Among the enterobacteriaceae isolates screened, the results of CLSI breakpoint test showed that 76 (66.7%) were ESBLs producers viz: Citrobacter spp. (3), Enterobacter spp. (2), E. coli (28), Klebsiella spp. (18), Morganella morganii (7), Proteus spp. (13), Salmonella spp. (1), Serratia spp. (1), Shigella spp. (2) and Yersinia spp (1). On subjecting the CLSI positive isolates to DRM, only 47 (41.2%) were confirmed ESBLs producers. These include; Citrobacter spp. (1), E. coli (20), Klebsiella spp. (12), Morganella morganii (4), Proteus spp. (8), Salmonella spp. (1) and Shigella spp. (1). ESBLs occur at an alarming rate among enterobacteriaceae isolates in Kano which calls for government intervention in the healthcare setting

Biology of human respiratory syncytial virus: a review

Acute lower respiratory tract infection is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in young children worldwide. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the single most important viral cause of lower respiratory tract infection during infancy and early childhood worldwide. Respiratory syncytial virus belongs to the Pneumovirinae subfamily of the Paramyxoviridae family of enveloped single stranded negative sense RNA viruses. The virus accounts for approximately 50% of all pneumonia and up to 90% of the reported cases of bronchiolitis in infancy. It is a common community–acquired respiratory pathogen without ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, age or geographic boundaries. Moreover, the epidemiological and ecological relationships between Human Respiratory syncytial virus, man and environment have aroused increasing interest in this viral, specie. The present review looks at the nature of this virus with the view to provide more information about its biology which may be useful to the present and future researchers

Seroprevalence of human parainfluenza virus type 2 infection among children (1-5years) in Zaria, Kaduna state, Nnigeria

Serological survey was carried out to determine the level of Human Parainfluenza virus type 2 (HPIV-2) IgG antibodies in children aged 1-5 years. Blood samples were collected from 379 children who met the selection criteria in selected hospitals in Zaria. Serum IgG antibody level for Human Parainfluenza virus type 2 was measured using commercial ELISA Kits obtained from VIRION-SERION ELISA Classic GmbH Germany. Of the total number of 379 samples, 176 (46.4%) were seropositive for parainfluenza virus type 2 antibody. There is statistical significance between age and seropositivity. Highest seropositivity (69.0%) was seen in the sera of those in age group 4- 5 yearss and lowest seropositivity (23.2%) in age group 0 – 1 year (X2 = 38.734; P.value 0.05). There was no association between the presence of cough and catarrh/running nose with seropositivity (P >0.05). The results also showed that there was no association between the presence of sickle cell disease and parental smoking with seropositivity (P >0.05). Preventive programs against HPIV – 2 infection should be promoted especially in younger children and research why reinfection occurs even in the presence of neutralizing antibodies should be undertaken