In-silico Investigation of the Interaction between Beta-class Glutathione S-Transferase and Five Antibiotics, namely; Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin and Cephalexin

Glutathione s-transferases(GSTs) are enzymes involved in the conjugation and deactivation of various xenobiotics including drugs. Thisin-silico study was undertaken in order to investigate the interaction between beta-class glutathione s-transferase and five selected antibiotics, namely; ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and cephalexin using molecular docking study. RaptorX server was used to predict the amino acids involved at the binding sitewhile molecular docking study was employed in order to investigate the binding interactions.RaptorX predicted several amino acids which were different from the ones observed in molecular docking because of the variability in the substrate binding site of GSTs however, all the amino acids predicted by RaptorX were also found to be involved in the GSH binding.Lys107, Phe109, Ser110, Leu113, Trp114, His115 and Arg123, Leu168 were the amino acids involved in the binding of various antibiotics to the substrate binding site of the protein while Ala9, Cys10, Leu32, Tyr51, Val52, Pro53, Glu65 and Ala66were involved in the binding of the co-substrate GSH to the binding site of the protein. The results indicated that all the antibiotics showed a good binding affinity with the beta class GST and are therefore capable of deactivating the drugs. With these, finding a beta class GST inhibitors alongside antibiotics during a treatment of diseases will be of beneficial in the current fight against antibiotic resistance

Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Borreria verticillata Species of Sudano-Sahelian Savanna on CCl4 Induced Hepatotoxicity

Preliminary phytochemical screening of Borreria verticillata species of Sudano-Sahelian savanna and the effect of aqueous leaf extract of the plant were studied in CCL4-induced hepatotoxicity rats. Screening of the aqueous extract indicates the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, sterol and saponins. While athraquinone was absent. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP) and bilirubin (BL) were analysed in rats intraperitoneally administered with 100 mg/kg CCl4 followed by oral treatment with 300mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of B. verticillata for 48 and 96hrs. The rats treated for 48 hours after had serum AST, ALT, ALP, TP and BL levels not statistically different (P>0.05) compared to both normal control and positive control (treated with 100mg/kg standard drug) although the value of positive control was slightly lower than the test values. However, the test values were statistically lower compared to toxicity control at P< 0.05. The serum AST, ALT, ALP, TP and BL levels when the treatment was extended to 96 hours showed similar pattern to 48 hours treatment. Even though the test values with respect to the enzymes activity were slightly lower in the extended treatment. This result indicates the hepatocurative properties of aqueous leaf extract of B. verticillata on CCL4-induced hepatotoxicity rats, which could be attributed to its phytochemical contents. Keywords: Borreria verticillata, Hepatotoxicity, Hepatocurative, Aqueous leaf extract, CCL

Milk clotting activity of protease, extracted from rhizome of Taffin giwa ginger (Zingiber officinale) cultivar, from northwestern Nigeria

The increasing prices of calf rennets, their accessibility and ethical concerns associated with the production of such enzymes for general cheese making have led to systematic investigations on the possibility and suitability of their substitution by other enzymes of plant origin. In this study, ammonium sulphate ((NH4)2SO4) fractionation, characterization and milk clotting activity (MCA) of protease extracted from Taffin Giwa ginger rhizome cultivar of the family Zingiberaceae from northwestern Nigeria were carried out. The protease extracted showed optimum activity at temperatures near 60 °C and pH value of 6.5 with a relative activity in a broad pH range of 5.0 to 8.0 accordingly. The enzyme was completely denatured at higher temperature of 100 °C and higher pH range of 12.0. The milk clotting property of the protease indicated 3.1 and 2.2 folds of MCA and MSCA respectively in relation to the commercial calf rennet with MCA/PA ratio of 2.52. The properties of Taffin Giwa protease shown in this study, especially its milk clotting activity, make it a potential candidate for substituting calf rennet in the food industries, particularly in cheese making processes.Keywords: Ginger Protease, Milk Clotting Activity, Calf rennet, Characterization, Extractio

In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Diabetic Potential of Gymnema Sylvestre Methanol Leaf Extract

Some medicinal plants and their purified derivatives have demonstrated beneficial therapeutic potentials for many centuries. They have been reported to exhibit antioxidant activity, reducing the oxidative stress in cells and are therefore useful in the treatment of many human diseases, including diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. This study evaluated antioxidative activity and enzymatic (alpha-amylase and alphaglucosidase) inhibitory potentials of Gymnema sylvestre methanolic leaf extract (GSMLE) using standard methods. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids. The total phenolics and total flavonoids content in the extract were found to be 6.629±0.745 (µg/ml of catechol equivalent) and 0.004±0.0012 (µg/ml of quercetin equivalent) respectively. GSMLE was shown to have radical scavenging activity against DPPH (290.54 ± 39.72 %), hydroxyl radical (86.507 ± 23.55 %) and hydrogen peroxide (45.25 ± 25.23 %). The level of SOD was significantly decreased in H2O2 induced and H2O2+extract induced when compared with normal control (p<0.05); the level of GSH was significantly increased in H2O2 induced control and significantly decreased in H2O2+extract induced test when compared to normal control. GSH was also decreased significantly in H2O2+extract induced when compared to H2O2 induced control (p<0.05). The extract also demonstrated significant inhibition of alpha-glucosidase (IC50 182.26 ±1.05μg/ml) when compared with standard acarbose (IC50 189.52±0.46) and was more potent than the arcarbose on alpha-amylase inhibition with IC50 of 195.3±4.40 and 200.05±7.16 respectively. These findings may therefore, stress the potentiality of using Gymnema sylvestre as a natural remedy for the management of type 2 diabetes

Clinico-pathological profile of sinonasal masses: an experience in national ear care center Kaduna, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The presence of a mass in the nose and paranasal sinuses may seem to be a simple problem; however it raises many questions about the differential diagnosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinico-pathological profile of sinonasal masses in our environment</p> <p>This is a retrospective analytical review of all the patients with sinonasal masses that presented to the national ear care center, Kaduna over a six year (2003-2008) period. Their biodata, clinical profile and histological diagnoses were analyzed.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A total of 76 patients were analyzed, age range 5 to 64 yrs with a mean age of 33.3 yr median and modal age of 35.00 (SD = 13.1 ± 1.5). Majority of the patients were in the age groups 21-50 yrs. There were 34 male and 42 female with M: F ratio of 1:1.2. The main presenting symptoms are nasal blockage 97.4% and rhinorrhea 94.7%. It was bilateral in 34 (44.7%), left side in 24(31.6%) and right side in 18(23.7%) patients. The commonest clinical diagnoses were simple nasal polyp 47(61.8%) and antrochoanal polyp 10(13.2%). About 59 (77.6%) were benign, 2 (2.6%) were malignant and 15 (19.7%) were lost to follow up. The commonest histological diagnosis is simple inflammatory nasal polyp in 28 (36.8%) patients and the least was nasal capillary hemangioma 2 (2.6%). About 55(72.4%) patients had surgical treatment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea are the commonest symptoms of presentation, simple inflammatory nasal polyp is still the commonest histological pattern seen in our environment, and surgery is still the best modality of treatment for benign tumor thus the need for advocacy for early recognition and referral to the ENT surgeon.</p

Preeclampsia and COVID-19: results from the INTERCOVID prospective longitudinal study

Background: It is unclear whether the suggested link between COVID-19 during pregnancy and preeclampsia is an independent association or if these are caused by common risk factors. Objective: This study aimed to quantify any independent association between COVID-19 during pregnancy and preeclampsia and to determine the effect of these variables on maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Study Design: This was a large, longitudinal, prospective, unmatched diagnosed and not-diagnosed observational study assessing the effect of COVID-19 during pregnancy on mothers and neonates. Two consecutive not-diagnosed women were concomitantly enrolled immediately after each diagnosed woman was identified, at any stage during pregnancy or delivery, and at the same level of care to minimize bias. Women and neonates were followed until hospital discharge using the standardized INTERGROWTH-21st protocols and electronic data management system. A total of 43 institutions in 18 countries contributed to the study sample. The independent association between the 2 entities was quantified with the risk factors known to be associated with preeclampsia analyzed in each group. The outcomes were compared among women with COVID-19 alone, preeclampsia alone, both conditions, and those without either of the 2 conditions. Results: We enrolled 2184 pregnant women; of these, 725 (33.2%) were enrolled in the COVID-19 diagnosed and 1459 (66.8%) in the COVID-19 not-diagnosed groups. Of these women, 123 had preeclampsia of which 59 of 725 (8.1%) were in the COVID-19 diagnosed group and 64 of 1459 (4.4%) were in the not-diagnosed group (risk ratio, 1.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.32–2.61). After adjustment for sociodemographic factors and conditions associated with both COVID-19 and preeclampsia, the risk ratio for preeclampsia remained significant among all women (risk ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.25–2.52) and nulliparous women specifically (risk ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.17–3.05). There was a trend but no statistical significance among parous women (risk ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–2.73). The risk ratio for preterm birth for all women diagnosed with COVID-19 and preeclampsia was 4.05 (95% confidence interval, 2.99–5.49) and 6.26 (95% confidence interval, 4.35–9.00) for nulliparous women. Compared with women with neither condition diagnosed, the composite adverse perinatal outcome showed a stepwise increase in the risk ratio for COVID-19 without preeclampsia, preeclampsia without COVID-19, and COVID-19 with preeclampsia (risk ratio, 2.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.63–2.86; risk ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.44–4.45; and risk ratio, 2.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.67–4.82, respectively). Similar findings were found for the composite adverse maternal outcome with risk ratios of 1.76 (95% confidence interval, 1.32–2.35), 2.07 (95% confidence interval, 1.20–3.57), and 2.77 (95% confidence interval, 1.66–4.63). The association between COVID-19 and gestational hypertension and the direction of the effects on preterm birth and adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes, were similar to preeclampsia, but confined to nulliparous women with lower risk ratios. Conclusion: COVID-19 during pregnancy is strongly associated with preeclampsia, especially among nulliparous women. This association is independent of any risk factors and preexisting conditions. COVID-19 severity does not seem to be a factor in this association. Both conditions are associated independently of and in an additive fashion with preterm birth, severe perinatal morbidity and mortality, and adverse maternal outcomes. Women with preeclampsia should be considered a particularly vulnerable group with regard to the risks posed by COVID-19

Determinants of Ruminant Meat Demand among Different Income Groups in Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria

This study analyzed the determinant of meat demand among income groups, using multiple regression. Data for the study were obtained from 180 respondents, selected in six (6) wards through stratified random sampling, representing the three income groups, namely low, middle and high earning ≤ N15000, N15, 001- N30, 000 and ≥ N30, 001 respectively. Further more, 30 households each were purposively selected from the six (6) areas making a total of 180 households for the study. This study was restricted to ruminant meat products (cattle, goat and sheep) demand among households in Maiduguri Urban area and covered the period of May-June, 2010. The findings showed that 89.02% of the households were male headed, with 38 years as the mean age, while 77% had one form of formal education or another. The mean household size was eight, while the mean monthly income was N23,843. The multiple regression results revelled that gender was insignificant determinant of expenditure on ruminant for all the income groups, and was negatively related to high income group. However, the coefficients of gender were positive for low and middle income groups. Household size and income had positive coefficients and were significant at 1% level for all the income groups. Age had positive coefficients for all the income groups and was significant at 1% for middle income group. On the contrary it was not significant for low and high income. Educational level of the respondents had positive coefficients for all income groups and was significant at 1% level for low and middle income groups but was insignificant for high income group. The study recommended policies to improve improved income redistribution and the enhancement of the purchasing power of the poor

Biodegradation potential of immobilized bacteria in the treatment of Tannery Industrial effluents from industrial estates in Kano State, Nigeria

Industrial Effluents Samples from Gashash Tanneries (TAN1) in Bompai Industrial estate, Larabee Tannery Industry (TAN2) in Sharada Industrial estate and Z Tannery Industries (TAN3) in Challawa Industrial estate, Kano State, Nigeria were collected over a period of six months (August 2017 to January 2018) for assessing the biodegradation potentials of bacteria in the treatment of organic pollutants within the effluents. Bacteria were isolated from the effluents and immobilized on agar-agar. Different masses (5 g, 10 g, 15g, 20 g, and 25 g) of the bacteria were used in the treatment of 250 ml of the effluents for ten days in a shaker incubator (Gallenkamp-OC-4364-L) at the temperature 30 °C and speed of 60 rpm. Pre-treatment analysis of the effluents for Temperature, pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Suspended Solid (SS) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) gives the following results; temperature (ºC) ranged (26.38±3.81-30.33±3.79); pH (5.35±1.57-9.00±0.78); BOD (13.85±6.42-38.75±16.20); COD (1406±208-3532±1373); SS (208±235-780±739) and TDS (266±253-5276±2971). No statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) was observed for all the results among the different industries. The bacterial isolates were identified as Neisseria spp, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus, in TAN1, TAN2, and TAN3, respectively. After treatment of the effluent with the different masses of the isolated bacteria, the mean level of BOD was found to range as (0.55±0.36-6.92±5.49); COD (ND-3134±1595); SS (18±022-898±672) and TDS (4±002-83±078). The results of Post-treatment analysis showed that there is overall decrease in the levels of the parameters determined when compared with that of the pre-treatment. The overall percentage reduction of the immobilised bacteria in the treatment of the respective effluents was in the order TAN2 (72%)&gt;TAN1 (70%)&gt;TAN3 (62%). Hence, the immobilized bacteria are having higher biodegradation potential for the treatment of the tannery effluents

Effect of heat on the total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant properties of the methanolic leaf extract of Moringa oleifera

Background: Moringa oleifera provides natural dietary sources of antioxidants (vitamins, carotenoids, phenolic compounds) that protect against free radical oxidation damages. The plant is usually cooked or steamed before eating and which consequently, results in changes of nutritional and chemical composition of important phyto-components. Objective: This study assessed the effect of heat on the total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant properties of the methanolic leaf extract of Moringa oleifera leaves Methods: Methanolic leaf extracts of heat treated and untreated leaves of M. oleifera were prepared and an in vitro 3+total phenolic content (TPC), ferric ions (Fe ) reducing anti-oxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant activity 3 3 3(T AA) evaluations were carried out for both unheated and heated samples at 100 µg/cm, 50µg/cm and 25 µg/cm, respectively. Results: The TAA results showed a minimum of 50% decrease in the untreated over the heated extracts while TPC and FRAP showed a maximum decrement of less than 30% across all extracts concentrations of the unheated over the heated; with extract concentration-dependency only shown in FRAP. Conclusion: Heating reduced the antioxidant functions of M. oleifera leaves by more than half without a corresponding proportionate decrement in its phenolic content or its reducing capacity. It is important to be cautious when heating the leaves of Moringa oleifera for  if one is to obtain the highest possible benefits from the bioactive, antioxidative phyto-compounds present in them.Keywords: Moringa oleifera leaves, phyto-chemicals, heating, phenolic content, antioxidant capacit