Biosorption of chromium(VI) using immobilized Bacillius subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Heavy metals like chromium do contaminate the environment that comprises of soil, water and air. It affects the growth of flora and fauna which in turn affect human health negatively. Chromium could also bio-accumulate in plants and animals and this becomes dangerous for survival of human if adequate steps are not taken for treatment of industrial and agricultural wastes. Therefore, the batch removal of Cr (VI) from environment water bodies becomes necessary. Its removal from aqueous solution using immobilized Bacillus subtilis (IBBS), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IPBS), mixed biomass (IMBS) and Alginate alone (IABS) was carried out. The conditions of influence of initial Cr (VI) concentrations, solution pH, contact time, biomass dosage and temperature were studied. The sorption kinetic models of Cr (VI) onto the biosorbents were examined with pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order, and Elovich kinetics respectively. It was found that the experimental conditions affected the extent of removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution. The higher the initial concentration, the larger the amount of Cr (VI) removed while the higher the temperature the lesser the amount removed. The optimum contact time and adsorbent dose for effective removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution were found to be 60 mins and 0.01 g respectively. Pseudo second-order kinetic model best correlates the experimental data. Among isotherm models studied, Freundlich adsorption isotherm model gave the best fit.Key Words: Chromium (VI), Adsorption Kinetics, Adsorption Isotherms, Spectrophotometric Determination, Immobilized Biosorbent

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Efficacy of Major Plant Extracts/Molecules on Field Insect Pests

Insect pests are considered the major hurdle in enhancing the production and productivity of any farming system. The use of conventional synthetic pesticides has led to the emergence of pesticide-resistant insects, environmental pollution, and negative effects on natural enemies, which have caused an ecological imbalance of the predator-prey ratio and human health hazards; therefore, eco-friendly alternative strategies are required. The plant kingdom, a rich repertoire of secondary metabolites, can be tapped as an alternative for insect pest management strategies. A number of plants have been documented to have insecticidal properties against various orders of insects in vitro by acting as antifeedants, repellents, sterilant and oviposition deterrents, etc. However, only a few plant compounds are applicable at the field level or presently commercialised. Here, we have provided an overview of the broad-spectrum insecticidal activity of plant compounds from neem, Annona, Pongamia, and Jatropha. Additionally, the impact of medicinal plants, herbs, spices, and essential oils has been reviewed briefl

The potential of Terminalia catappa (Almond) and Hyphaene thebaica (Dum palm) fruits as raw materials for livestock feed

The physicochemical analysis of sun dried mesocarp of fruits of Terminalia catappa and Hyphaene thebaica was investigated. It is aimed at sourcing alternative local raw materials that contain requirednutritional composition for production of livestock feed. This study revealed that the mesocarp of the fruits of T. catappa and H. thebaica contain 8.10- 12.65% ash, 84.93- 89.25% carbohydrate, 0.37- 0.95% oil, 238- 316 mg/g glucose contents and anti-nutritional factor value of 1.30 mg/g for T. catappa and 8.30 mg/g for H. thebaica tannin content. The protein contents of 0.1 and 0.01% are very low but theircalorific values of 3434.5 and 3655.9 kcal/kg for T. catappa and H. thebaica, respectively, are high. The metal ion concentrations of Ca (45.58-245.10 mg/100 g), Mg (96.35-236.45 mg/100 g), Fe (5.14- 47.96 mg/100 g), Cu (0.10-0.38) and Zn (0.45 -0.62) in these mesocarp seemed adequate enough to provide metal ions for biochemical activities of livestock if the mesocarp of the fruits are used in livestock feed formulation. In addition, the presence of low level of tannin may form the basis for anti–inflammatory activity in the feed

Influence of fertilizer use on small-holders food crops production in Imo State, Nigeria

No Abstract.International Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Systems Vol. 1 (3) 2007: pp. 206-21

Economics of Dry Season Vegetable Production by Women Farmers in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, South East Nigeria- A Case Study of Telfairia Occidentalis

The study was designed to analyze the economics of dry season vegetable farming among women farmers in Owerri West local government area of Imo State, South Eastern Nigeria. Data were collected with structured questionnaire from 50 randomly selected dry season women vegetable farmers. Data were analyzed using net return, and multiple regression models. Results show that the net return of dry season women vegetable farming business is profitable. Factors influencing the dry season women vegetable farmers include age, marital status, educational level, farm size and household size. Farmers are encouraged to engage in the dry season women vegetable farming business to improve their income