Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of three derivatives of 2-hydroxychalcones

In an attempt to compare the efficiency of classical method of synthesizing 2-hydroxychalcones with mechanical and microwave-assisted methods, three derivatives of 2-hydroxychalcone, (E)-3-(4’-methyphenyl)-1-(2- hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one, (E)-3-(4’-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one and (E)-3-(2’- chlorophenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one; were synthesized by a modified Claisen-Schmidt condensation of appropriate acetophenones with various substituted aromatic aldehydes and successfully characterized using spectroscopic analysis. Microwave-assisted and mechanical methods were found to be more efficient in terms of eco-friendly reaction conditions, simple reaction procedure, short reaction time and excellent yields of the product where the reactions took not more than 3 mins to complete under microwave irradiation and not more than 30 mins to complete using mechanical grinding, while it took up to 6 hrs for some reactions to complete under classical method (heating). The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, S. pyogenes, S. feacalis, C. albicans and C. krusei by the agar diffusion method. The compounds exhibited varying degrees of inhibition against the tested pathogens with (E)-3-(2’-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one, that has the 2’-chlorophenyl moiety as the B-ring displaying moderate inhibition against the tested pathogens [MIC = 50 μg/ml] with the exception of S. feacalis.Keywords: Chalcones, microwave-assisted, grinding and pathoge

Machine learning methods for sign language recognition: a critical review and analysis.

Sign language is an essential tool to bridge the communication gap between normal and hearing-impaired people. However, the diversity of over 7000 present-day sign languages with variability in motion position, hand shape, and position of body parts making automatic sign language recognition (ASLR) a complex system. In order to overcome such complexity, researchers are investigating better ways of developing ASLR systems to seek intelligent solutions and have demonstrated remarkable success. This paper aims to analyse the research published on intelligent systems in sign language recognition over the past two decades. A total of 649 publications related to decision support and intelligent systems on sign language recognition (SLR) are extracted from the Scopus database and analysed. The extracted publications are analysed using bibliometric VOSViewer software to (1) obtain the publications temporal and regional distributions, (2) create the cooperation networks between affiliations and authors and identify productive institutions in this context. Moreover, reviews of techniques for vision-based sign language recognition are presented. Various features extraction and classification techniques used in SLR to achieve good results are discussed. The literature review presented in this paper shows the importance of incorporating intelligent solutions into the sign language recognition systems and reveals that perfect intelligent systems for sign language recognition are still an open problem. Overall, it is expected that this study will facilitate knowledge accumulation and creation of intelligent-based SLR and provide readers, researchers, and practitioners a roadmap to guide future direction

Phytochemical and anthelmintic activity of Terminalia catappa (Linn) leaves

Helminthiases is one of the tropical neglected diseases (NTDs) caused by soil transmitted helminths (STHs). The development of resistance to anthelmintics was observed and so there is an urgent need to discover novel drugs. This study investigates the anthelmintic activity of the Terminalia catappa. Dried fallen leaves of the plant was extracted with petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water using microwave assisted extraction (MAE). Anthelmintic activity of the crude extracts were investigated against Haemonchus concortus. Various concentrations (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml) of each extract and Albendazole were tested in the egg hatch assay and larval mortality assay. The dichloromethane extract displayed the highest egg hatch inhibition percentage of 98.94% at 6.25mg/ml while the methanol extract showed the lowest inhibition of 95.77% at the same concentration. The dichloromethane extract also showed 100% larval reduction at a concentration of 12.5mg/ml after 3 days and 98.9% at the least concentration of 6.25mg/ml. The preliminary phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of various phytoconstituents in all the tested extract. This result confirm the use of Terminalia catappa by traditional healers for the treatment of worm infections.Keywords:  Terminalia catappa, Anthelmintic assay, Haemonchus concortus, Phytochemical screenin

Isolation and characterization of lupeol from the whole plant of Phaulopsis bateri

This work was aimed at isolating and characterizing the bioactive constituents from the crude methanol extract of the whole plant of Phaulopsis barteri. The crude extract which was subjected to a silica gel column chromatography separation using petroleum ether/ethyl acetate blend, eluted a white crystalline substance with a melting point of 215-2160C. PBA shows recognizable peak at 79.02ppm which is characteristic of a carbon carrying an oxygen and the 1HNMR spectrum which shows an olefinic proton at δ 4.71 and 4.56 respectively was identified as lupeol which is a C30H50O moiety. Identification of the compound was purely by spectral analysis.Keywords: Phaulopsis barteri, Lupeol, C30H50O, Chromatograph

Radioactivity level in water around a cement factory in north central Nigeria

In recent times, there has been consistent demand for drinkable water to meet the growing population of Obajana environs, where cement factory is situated. The mean gross alpha and beta activities in drinkable water around the communities of the cement factory, following a continuous exposure of workers and habitants was determined using a low background Gas-less counting system with solid state silicon detector for alpha and beta detection. The average activities for gross alpha and beta water ranged between 0.002871±0.00957 to 0.05335±0.0253 Bq/l and 0.2937±0.0588 to 39.96±11.3000 Bq/l, respectively. The alpha and beta geometric mean of the whole samples were found to be 0.0156±0.01487 Bq/l and 10.9±13.8373 Bq/l, respectively. The correlation coefficient (R), was found to be R = 0.8181, which shows there is a good relationship between the measured gross Alpha and Beta (activity). The average annual committed effective dose for water intake was between 0.149 mSv to 20.100 mSv, the recommended reference level for ingested dose for drinkable water was however exceeded in most locations, thus making the water in most locations not quite safe for consumption.Keywords: Water, Cement Factory, Effective dose, Gross Alpha and Gross Bet

Effect of Tamsulosin Use on Plasma Insulin Status in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients in Sokoto, Nigeria

The objective of this paper was to determine the effect of tamsulosin use on plasma insulin status in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients in Sokoto, Nigeria. Standard methods and procedures were used. At 2nd and 3rd months of tamsulosin use, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma insulin values compared to baseline. Likewise, at 4th month of tamsulosin use, a significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma insulin values was revealed compared to baseline and 2nd month values. Other inter-mean values comparisons were not significantly different (P>0.05). Plasma insulin at 4th months of the study in BPH patients (45-54 years) treated with tamsulosin revealed a significant increase (P<0.05) compared to baseline values. Other inter-mean values comparisons were not significantly different (P>0.05). BPH patients (aged 55-64 years) at 3rd month showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma insulin values compared to baseline values. Likewise, at 4th month of tamsulosin use, a significant increase  (P<0.05) in plasma insulin values was seen compared to baseline and 1st month values. Other inter-mean values comparisons were not significantly different (P>0.05). In BPH patients aged 65 and above, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in plasma insulin values from 1st through 4th month compared to baseline and other inter mean values comparisons. Plasma insulin at 0th , 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th months of BPH patients of different age groups treated with tamsulosin revealed no significant differences (P>0.05). This study revealed that tamsulosin use in the patients lead to significant increase in plasma insulin level (hyperinsulinemia). Careful and routine monitoring of BPH patients should be done. Patients need enough exercise activities and some drugs can be administered to alleviate elevated glucose or insulin. Keywords: Tamsulosin, hyperinsulinemia, benign prostatic hyperplasia patients, insulin resistanc

Effects of nitrogen levels and harvest ferquency on the growth and leaf quality of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam) in Sudan Savanna of nigeria

Field experiment was conducted under irrigation at teaching and research farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, during 2011/2012 dry season to investigate the effects of different nitrogen levels and harvest frequency on growth and leaf quality of Moringa (Moringa oleifera (Lam)). The treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1) and three times of harvest frequency (2, 3, and 4 weeks). These were arranged in a split plot design with the nitrogen levels allocated to the main plots while the harvest frequency allocated to the sub plots and replicated four times. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GenStat and significant different means were separated using DMRT. The result shows that application of nitrogen significantly (P<0.05) increase plant height, number of leaflets plant-1, plant stem diameter, number of branches plant-1, fresh and dry weights plant-1. Generally, the growth characters assessed gave maximum value with 150 kg N ha-1 treatment. At first harvest highest protein content of the leaf was also obtained with the higher Nitrogen level (150 kg N ha-1), highest Magnesium was obtained with 100 kg N ha-1 while highest quantity of phosphorus and potassium were obtained with 50 kg N ha-1. The increase in harvest frequency significantly (P<0.05) increased dry leaf quality of Moringa with the highest protein quality obtained from 4 weeks harvest frequency. Nitrogen and harvest frequency interaction was found to be significant (P<0.05) on dry leaf quality of Moringa.Keywords: Moringa, nitrogen, harvest frequency and leaf qualit

Atherogenic risk pattern among Nigerian hypertensive and diabetic patients undergoing follow-up visit in a tertiary hospital

Objectives: Cardiovascular risk can be predicted using lipid ratios such as the atherogenic index which is defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of plasma triglyceride (TG) to high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) – it is a useful prognostic parameter for guiding timely interventions and has also been employed as a predictor of cardiovascular risk. However, this is rarely used in the clinical practice in developing countries including Nigeria.Methods: This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of 382 hypertensive and diabetic patients attending outpatient clinics of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Atherogenic risk profile, was categorized as low risk (<0.1), intermediate risk (0.1–0.24), and high risk (>0.24). Predictors were established using regression analysis. Level of significance was set at p-value of <0.05 and 95% confidence interval.Results: The mean age of participants was 56±12 years, 31.4% of participants had high atherogenic risk. This was higher among female patients (60.0%). Participants with high TC, high LDL, uncontrolled blood pressure had odds of 1.64, 1.43 and 1.17 times of developing high atherogenic risk respectively.Conclusion: A significant proportion of participants in this study population were at risk of developing atherosclerosis. Key identified populations at risk of CVD should be considered for routine artherogenic assessment.Keywords: Atherogenic, indices, hypertension, diabete

Knowledge of Factors Contributing to Child Malnutrition among Mothers of Under-five Children in Sokoto Metropolis, North-West Nigeria

Background: Malnutrition remains a killer of children, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, malnutrition is among the top five killers of children under five years of age. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of factors contributing to child malnutrition among mothers of under-fives.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 347 mothers of under-five children who were selected using a multistage sampling technique from January to March 2018. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS® version 20.0. Descriptive statistics, crude and adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) in cross-tabulation and binary logistic regression analysis, respectively, were estimated.Results: More than half, 198 (57.0%) were aged 40 years and below. Most, 324 (93.4%) of the respondents were Hausas, with only 45 (13.0%) having tertiary education. Majority of the respondents, 326 (93.9%) knew that diarrhoea-causing diseases could lead to malnutrition. About two-thirds, 222 (64.0%) knew that deworming could protect a child from malnutrition. Less than half, 169 (48.7%) did not know that overeating starchy food can cause malnutrition. Overall, majority 216 [62.2% (95% CI = 56.9% - 67.4%)] of the respondents had good knowledge of factors associated with malnutrition. There were no statistically significant predictors of knowledge of factors contributing to malnutrition.Conclusion: Mothers of under-five children in Sokoto metropolis had a high level of knowledge of the factors contributing to child malnutrition. However, there is still a need to continue educating mothers of under-five children on the importance of maintaining proper nutrition for their children. Keywords: Awareness; Factors; Knowledge; Malnutrition; Mothers; Under-fiv