Pectinolytic activity of wild-type filamentous fungi fermented on agro-wastes

Five filamentous fungi (Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp., Penicillum chrysogenum and Trichoderma sp.) isolated from agrowaste samples in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria, depolymerized citrus pectin. Best pectolytic activity, as indicated by the diameter of clear, hydrolyzed zones on the medium plates containing commercial citrus pectin as sole carbon source, was obtained with A. niger, closely followed by P. chrysogenum. The two fungi also produced pectinases with different agrowastes (pineapple peel, orange peels, sawdust, sugarcane pulps and wheat bran) as the sole carbon source. The highest pectinase activity by both fungi was produce with wheat bran as the sole carbon source. Peak pectinase activity of 350.28 ± 2.82 and 478.25 ± 3.04 IU mg-1 protein was respectively obtained by submerged fermentation (SmF) at 48 h for A. niger and P.chrysogenum in media containing wheat bran as the sole carbon source. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) yielded higher levels of pectinase activity than the SmF. The strains of A. niger and P. chrysogenum have good prospect for pectinase production. Wheat bran is a good low-cost fermentation substrate for pectinase production by the investigated fungi

“We have been working overnight without sleeping”: traditional birth attendants’ practices and perceptions of post-partum care services in rural Tanzania

Background: In many low-income countries, formal post-partum care utilization is much lower than that of skilled delivery and antenatal care. While Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) might play a role in post-partum care, research exploring their attitudes and practices during this period is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore TBAs’ practices and perceptions in post-partum care in rural Tanzania. Methods: Qualitative in-depth interview data were collected from eight untrained and three trained TBAs. Additionally, five multiparous women who were clients of untrained TBAs were also interviewed. Interviews were conducted in February 2013. Data were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze data. Results: Our study found that TBAs take care of women during post-partum with rituals appreciated by women. They report lacking formal post-partum care training, which makes them ill-equipped to detect and handle post-partum complications. Despite their lack of preparation, they try to provide care for some post-partum complications which could put the health of the woman at risk. TBAs perceive that utilization of hospital-based post-partum services among women was only important for the baby and for managing complications which they cannot handle. They are poorly linked with the health system. Conclusions: This study found that the TBAs conducted close follow-ups and some of their practices were appreciated by women. However, the fact that they were trying to manage certain post-partum complications can put women at risk. These findings point out the need to enhance the communication between TBAs and the formal health system and to increase the quality of the TBA services, especially in terms of prompt referral, through provision of training, mentoring, monitoring and supervision of the TBA servic

Monitoring of microbial hydrocarbon remediation in the soil

Bioremediation of hydrocarbon pollutants is advantageous owing to the cost-effectiveness of the technology and the ubiquity of hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms in the soil. Soil microbial diversity is affected by hydrocarbon perturbation, thus selective enrichment of hydrocarbon utilizers occurs. Hydrocarbons interact with the soil matrix and soil microorganisms determining the fate of the contaminants relative to their chemical nature and microbial degradative capabilities, respectively. Provided the polluted soil has requisite values for environmental factors that influence microbial activities and there are no inhibitors of microbial metabolism, there is a good chance that there will be a viable and active population of hydrocarbon-utilizing microorganisms in the soil. Microbial methods for monitoring bioremediation of hydrocarbons include chemical, biochemical and microbiological molecular indices that measure rates of microbial activities to show that in the end the target goal of pollutant reduction to a safe and permissible level has been achieved. Enumeration and characterization of hydrocarbon degraders, use of micro titer plate-based most probable number technique, community level physiological profiling, phospholipid fatty acid analysis, 16S rRNA- and other nucleic acid-based molecular fingerprinting techniques, metagenomics, microarray analysis, respirometry and gas chromatography are some of the methods employed in bio-monitoring of hydrocarbon remediation as presented in this review

Human Serum Protein-Bound iodine and Protein Fractions at Different Physiological and Narcotic States

Iodine profile of Nigerians at different ages in both sexes and in pregnant women, and under narcotic influence, such as alcoholism, cigarette smoking and marijuana addiction were studied. Their serum total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations were also determined. Results of the study showed that serum protein bound iodine levels increased significantly with age in both sexes and in pregnant women, while it decreased significantly in alcoholics, cigarette smokers and marijuana addicts. Serum total protein, albumin and globulin levels increased with age in both sexes and in pregnant women, but were decreased significantly in alcoholics, cigarette smokers and marijuana addicts. Data of the study indicate that serum protein bound iodine levels were potentiated by age, sex and pregnancy, but were impaired by alcoholism, cigarette smoking and marijuana addiction. In addition, serum total protein, albumin and globulin levels were affected by age, sex, pregnancy, cigarette smoking and marijuana addiction. Alcoholism, cigarette smoking and marijuana addiction may have deleterious effects on thyroid function and protein synthesis. NQJHM Vol. 14 (3&4) 2004: pp. 257-26

Determinants of Utilization of Maternal Health Services Among Traders in Lagos Markets

Background: Utilization of health services is a complex behavioral phenomenon, related to the availability, quality and cost of services, social structure, health beliefs and characteristics of the users. Objective: This study was carried out to examine factors influencing the use of maternal health care services amongst traders in Lagos markets. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive survey of market traders in16 markets within Lagos metropolis was conducted using a 28-item questionnaire to obtain information about the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about the locations of Primary Health Care (PHC) services, type of services received, perceived quality, reasons for choice and sources of alternative maternal health care. Results: The majority [73.5%] admitted awareness of a primary health care center in the area, 64% of them used them, for antenatal care [44%], delivery [34%], and family planning services [22%]. Among users, 91.6% expressed satisfaction with the services. Other sources of maternal health care used included private hospitals [66.7%], general/teaching hospitals [8.6%], chemist shops [9%] and traditional birth attendants [7.9%]. Reasons for their preferences related to better service, better attitudes and perceived proficiency of staff and proximity to home or place of trade. Utilization of maternal health services was significantly related to level of maternal education, knowledge of location of PHC, age, marital status, number of children, satisfaction with services received, perceived severity of danger signs of pregnancy and labour [

Effect of use of insecticide treated nets on birth outcomes among primips in a peri-urban slum settlement in south- east, Nigeria

Introduction Each year in sub-Saharan Africa, where 80 to 90% of the world's malaria cases occur, approximately 19 to 24 million women are at risk for malaria and its adverse consequences during pregnancy. The major impact of malaria during pregnancy in these regions is caused by persistent or recurrent, predominantly low-grade, sometimes sub-patent, parasitaemia. In Nigeria, malaria has severe negative effects on maternal health and birth outcomes, resulting in maternal anaemia, a high incidence of miscarriages and low birth weight. Primigravidae and secundigravidae are most at risk. Resistance to first-line antimalarials has increased in sub-Saharan Africa, and the available arsenal of alternative tools for malaria control in pregnancy is very limited. One of the most promising of these tools is insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), which have been shown to reduce the number of infective mosquito bites by 70 to 90% in a variety of ecologic settings. In Nigeria, the current use of ITNs by the at-risk groups, pregnant women and children under five years, is just 1%, according to the latest report of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Aim This study aimed at examining the effects of the use of ITNs on pregnancy outcomes among 208 primigravidae. Methodology The study design was an analytical case control. One hundred and four subjects, the intervention group, received ITNs between August 2003 and January 2004. The other 104 subjects were the control. Data were obtained using the new World Health Organization antenatal care classifying form and the basic component checklist, and a self-structured, 30-item pre-tested questionnaire. The Apgar scores of the babies and their birth weights were observed and recorded for both the intervention and the control groups. Results The results showed that 83% of babies of mothers in the intervention group had a good condition at birth, while 87% of babies of mothers in the control group had a good condition at birth (p larger than 0.07; X2=1.69). A small increase in mean birth weight (0.001kg) of the babies of mothers in the intervention group was observed over those of mothers in the control group (p larger than 0.90). This showed that there were no significant beneficial impacts of the use of ITNs on foetal condition at birth, mean birth weight and low birth weight. Conclusion The use of ITNs by primigravidae in Okpoko, a peri-urban slum in south-eastern Nigeria, showed no significant impact on pregnancy outcome. South African Family Practice Vol. 49 (6) 2007: pp. 1

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Cytotoxicity of Securidaca longepedunculata (polygalaceae) Root Bark Extract

Securidaca longepedunculata is a savannah shrub found growing in tropical Africa. It is reputed to have more than a hundred medicinal uses and is a major component of anticancer decoctions in Nigeria. Despite its reported use as an anti-cancer plant, there is a dearth of information on the anti-cancer potential and mechanism of its anticancer activity. The present study is to identify the chemical constituents present in Securidaca longepedunculata by quantitative Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and determine the cytotoxic effect of the plant on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. Secondary metabolites in the extract were predicted using GC-MS. In vitro cytotoxic activity was determined using the trypan blue dye exclusion assay by incubating Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells with various concentrations of S. longepedunculata aqueous extract. Analysis by GC-MS revealed the presence of the following compounds: bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (90.99%), 1-decanol (4.17%) and cyclododecane (1.86%), phenol, 2, 21-methylene bis (1.32%), cyclopenten-4-one, 3-hydroxy-1, 2, 3, 5, 51-pentakis (trimethylsilyloxy)- (0.89%) and phenol, 2, 4-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl)(0.78%). Securidaca longepedunculata aqueous extract (SL) was cytotoxic to Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in vitro. The IC50 of SL on EAC cells was 67 μg/ml. The aqueous root-bark extract of S. longepedunculata contains bioactive agents and was cytotoxic to Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in vitro. Keywords: phthalate, Ehrlich, carcinoma, medicinal, plant