Impacts of Agricultural Wastes on Groundwater Pollution in Lipakala Farms, Ondo Southwest Nigeria

The impact of Agricultural wastes on ground water pollution was investigated in Lipakala Farms, Ondo Southwest, Nigeria. Physical, chemical and microbial parameters of the water samples of the only water source in the farm were analysed. This was to determine the level of pollution and the suitability of the water source for domestic and animal consumption. Results showed that minute traces of ions were present in water, lead ranges between 0.4 and 0.6mg/l, Nitrate 64 – 65mg/l; pH value of 7.8; Iron, 56.3-57.8mg/l. For the physical characteristics, while temperature ranges between 31.50c and 330c, samples were odourless, colourless but tasty with turbidity value of I0NTU and electrical conductivity of 690mho/cm, indicating high presence of salt deposits as a result of the location of precambium basement rock near the farm. The average bacterial count of 4cfu/ml and total coliform count of 10MPN/100N were indication of microbial contamination of the water source. Hence, it is recommended that wells should be located at upland to croplands to prevent inflow through runoff of fertilizers and chemicals from farmlands. Also, modern waste disposal methods should be adopted, phasing out open dumpsites to avoid microbial contamination of well and safeguard public health. In addition, public health enlightment and awareness campaign should be conducted in the farm to sensitize the inhabitants of the farm of the dangers inherent in haphazard waste disposal. Keywords: Agricultural wastes, Pollution, Well, Microbial contaminant

Anxiolytic Effects, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of the Methanol Extract of Jatropha tanjorensis Leaf

The methanol leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis was analyzed for its bioactive components, in-vitro antioxidant, antidepressant, anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory activities using established methods. The phytochemicals detected were saponins, tannins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids and eugenols. The total phenolic content (TPC) was 36.48 mgGAE/g, while the total flavonoid content (TFC) was 145.92 mgQE/g of the extract. 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity gave an IC50 of 185.02 and 5.15 µg/mL for the extract and ascorbic acid (standard), respectively. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) was greater than 5000 mg/kg, while graded doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the plant extract relieved depression in mice to 93.3, 100 and 80.8%, respectively when compared with 10 mg/kg amitriptyline (positive control). A significant anxiety reduction, exemplified by a decrease in the frequency of head dip, was observed for animals administered with the plant extract compared with untreated control (p < 0.05). The reduction of formalin-induced paw edema was significant (p < 0.01) at 50 mg/kg of the plant extract, when compared with the control. The methanol extract of J. tanjorensis leaf is therefore a potential source of plant medicine with remarkable pharmacological activities. Keywords:    Jatropha tanjorensis; anxiolytic; antidepressant; anti-inflammatory; antioxidant; phytochemical

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of VEGF-neutralizing antibodies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent regulator of angiogenesis, and its role in cancer biology has been widely studied. Many cancer therapies target angiogenesis, with a focus being on VEGF-mediated signaling such as antibodies to VEGF. However, it is difficult to predict the effects of VEGF-neutralizing agents. We have developed a whole-body model of VEGF kinetics and transport under pathological conditions (in the presence of breast tumor). The model includes two major VEGF isoforms VEGF₁₂₁and VEGF₁₆₅, receptors VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and co-receptors Neuropilin-1 and Neuropilin-2. We have added receptors on parenchymal cells (muscle fibers and tumor cells), and incorporated experimental data for the cell surface density of receptors on the endothelial cells, myocytes, and tumor cells. The model is applied to investigate the action of VEGF-neutralizing agents (called "anti-VEGF") in the treatment of cancer.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Through a sensitivity study, we examine how model parameters influence the level of free VEGF in the tumor, a measure of the response to VEGF-neutralizing drugs. We investigate the effects of systemic properties such as microvascular permeability and lymphatic flow, and of drug characteristics such as the clearance rate and binding affinity. We predict that increasing microvascular permeability in the tumor above 10^-5cm/s elicits the undesired effect of increasing tumor interstitial VEGF concentration beyond even the baseline level. We also examine the impact of the tumor microenvironment, including receptor expression and internalization, as well as VEGF secretion. We find that following anti-VEGF treatment, the concentration of free VEGF in the tumor can vary between 7 and 233 pM, with a dependence on both the density of VEGF receptors and co-receptors and the rate of neuropilin internalization on tumor cells. Finally, we predict that free VEGF in the tumor is reduced following anti-VEGF treatment when VEGF₁₂₁comprises at least 25% of the VEGF secreted by tumor cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study explores the optimal drug characteristics required for an anti-VEGF agent to have a therapeutic effect and the tumor-specific properties that influence the response to therapy. Our model provides a framework for investigating the use of VEGF-neutralizing drugs for personalized medicine treatment strategies.</p

Microbiological Quality of Kunnu-Zaki Drinks Sold in Some selected Towns in Osun State, Nigeria

The microbiological quality of freshly processed and hawked kunnu-zaki drinks, a common Nigerian non-alcoholic beverage was investigated in some selected towns in Osun State, South Western Nigeria. A total of nine (9) towns were assessed. Kunnu-zaki drinks were purchased from these towns on twelve different occasions for a period of six month. The samples were microbiologically analyzed using standard methods. pH values ranged from 3.09 - 4.21 in East and West senatorial district. The TTA of the samples ranged from 0.32 - 0.49 in Central and East senatorial district. All the screened drink samples had varying levels of bacterial contamination ranging from 4.2 x 103 to 15.0 x 103 CFU/ml, 4.1 x 104 to 9.6 x 104 CFU/ml and 3.5 x 105 to 9.0 x 105 CFU/ml for total bacteria, coliform and E. coli count respectively. Total coliform count on MPN ranged from 3 MPN/ml to 93 MPN/ml. 77.78% of the total sampled drinks (n=108) that is (84/108) had bacteria and fungi count. While all the drinks sampled had total coliform count on MPN exceeding the recommended safe level of zero organisms detectable per 100ml. Seven (7) bacteria species were isolated from the kunnu-zaki drink sampled. The bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli, Bacillus species, Staphylococcus species, Pseudomonas species, Streptococcus specie, Enterobacter species, and Klebsiella species. Fungal count ranged from 3.3 x 106 to 8.0 x 106 CFU/ml respectively. Four (4) fungi were also isolated which include Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicilium italicum, Aspergillus Niger and Aspergillus flavus. It can therefore be concluded that the presence of these isolated organisms in kunnu-zaki samples analyzed in Osun State could serve as indicator for the need to promote awareness about the possible health hazards that could arise due to the unhygienic ways of handling and processing of the beverage

Aspects of Geophysical Exploration for Groundwater Using Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) in Parts of University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State

A geophysical survey using vertical electrical sounding (VES) was undertaken within the University of Benin (Ugbowo Campus) in an attempt to ascertain aspects of the hydrogeological parameters for groundwater exploitation. Six (6) vertical electrical soundings with electrode spacing of 215m AB/2 were occupied along the traverse, with the aid of ABEM SAS 1000 Terrameter set. The data were interpreted using the IXID and 3-D fieldmap computer softwares. The subsurface stratigraphy is as follows; (262.43-784.7\u3a9m); topsoil, (205.65-3666.4\u3a9m); wet laterite, (44.017-2201\u3a9m); anomalous soil, (601.03- 1450\u3a9m); clayed/silty sand, (2712.38-11741\u3a9m); dry sand, and (2909.7-12423\u3a9m); as aquifer. The results reveal depth to water table ranges of 31.2-65.5m. The range of values of minimum thickness of the aquifer across the VES is from 45-63m. VES 3 is the shallowest and may be the cheapest to drill and install a borehole. VES 6 with a inferred depth of 63- 65.5m, will probably be the best area to site a borehole in spite of the expected cost imperatives. The area shows slight spatial variations and plausibly attests to natural inhomogeneity, anthropogenic interplay in the course of the development of the area via construction, and very marginal susceptibility to contamination from the health centre and hostels within the study area. Furthermore, the results conformed to those of previous writers who described the aquifer as sandy and highly prolific

Comparative decline in funding of European Commission malaria vaccine projects: what next for the European scientists working in this field?

Since 2000, under the Fifth and subsequent Framework Programmes, the European Commission has funded research to spur the development of a malaria vaccine. This funding has contributed to the promotion of an integrated infrastructure consisting of European basic, applied and clinical scientists in academia and small and medium enterprises, together with partners in Africa. Research has added basic understanding of what is required of a malaria vaccine, allowing selected candidates to be prioritized and some to be moved forward into clinical trials. To end the health burden of malaria, and its economic and social impact on development, the international community has now essentially committed itself to the eventual eradication of malaria. Given the current tentative advances towards elimination or eradication of malaria in many endemic areas, malaria vaccines constitute an additional and almost certainly essential component of any strategic plan to interrupt transmission of malaria. However, funding for malaria vaccines has been substantially reduced in the Seventh Framework Programme compared with earlier Framework Programmes, and without further support the gains made by earlier European investment will be lost

Digitised audio questionnaire for assessment of informed consent comprehension in a low-literacy African research population: development and psychometric evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and psychometrically evaluate an audio digitised tool for assessment of comprehension of informed consent among low-literacy Gambian research participants. SETTING: We conducted this study in the Gambia where a high illiteracy rate and absence of standardised writing formats of local languages pose major challenges for research participants to comprehend consent information. We developed a 34-item questionnaire to assess participants' comprehension of key elements of informed consent. The questionnaire was face validated and content validated by experienced researchers. To bypass the challenge of a lack of standardised writing formats, we audiorecorded the questionnaire in three major Gambian languages: Mandinka, Wolof and Fula. The questionnaire was further developed into an audio computer-assisted interview format. PARTICIPANTS: The digitised questionnaire was administered to 250 participants enrolled in two clinical trials in the urban and rural areas of the Gambia. One week after first administration, the questionnaire was readministered to half of the participants who were randomly selected. Participants were eligible if enrolled in the parent trials and could speak any of the three major Gambian languages. OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome measure was reliability and validity of the questionnaire. RESULTS: Item reduction by factor analysis showed that 21 of the question items have strong factor loadings. These were retained along with five other items which were fundamental components of informed consent. The 26-item questionnaire has high internal consistency with a Cronbach's α of 0.73-0.79 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.94 (95% CI 0.923 to 0.954). Hypotheses testing also showed that the questionnaire has a positive correlation with a similar questionnaire and discriminates between participants with and without education. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a reliable and valid measure of comprehension of informed consent information for the Gambian context, which might be easily adapted to similar settings. This is a major step towards engendering comprehension of informed consent information among low-literacy participants

Safety and Immunogenicity of Malaria Vectored Vaccines Given with Routine Expanded Program on Immunization Vaccines in Gambian Infants and Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Heterologous prime-boost vaccination with chimpanzee adenovirus 63 (ChAd63) and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) encoding multiple epitope string thrombospondin-related adhesion protein (ME-TRAP) has shown acceptable safety and promising immunogenicity in African adult and pediatric populations. If licensed, this vaccine could be given to infants receiving routine childhood immunizations. We therefore evaluated responses to ChAd63 MVA ME-TRAP when co-administered with routine Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccines. METHODS: We enrolled 65 Gambian infants and neonates, aged 16, 8, or 1 week at first vaccination and randomized them to receive either ME-TRAP and EPI vaccines or EPI vaccines only. Safety was assessed by the description of vaccine-related adverse events (AEs). Immunogenicity was evaluated using IFNγ enzyme-linked immunospot, whole-blood flow cytometry, and anti-TRAP IgG ELISA. Serology was performed to confirm all infants achieved protective titers to EPI vaccines. RESULTS: The vaccines were well tolerated in all age groups with no vaccine-related serious AEs. High-level TRAP-specific IgG and T cell responses were generated after boosting with MVA. CD8+ T cell responses, previously found to correlate with protection, were induced in all groups. Antibody responses to EPI vaccines were not altered significantly. CONCLUSION: Malaria vectored prime-boost vaccines co-administered with routine childhood immunizations were well tolerated. Potent humoral and cellular immunity induced by ChAd63 MVA ME-TRAP did not reduce the immunogenicity of co-administered EPI vaccines, supporting further evaluation of this regimen in infant populations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial was registered on http://Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02083887) and the Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR201402000749217)

Interaction proteomics of synapse protein complexes

The brain integrates complex types of information, and executes a wide range of physiological and behavioral processes. Trillions of tiny organelles, the synapses, are central to neuronal communication and information processing in the brain. Synaptic transmission involves an intricate network of synaptic proteins that forms the molecular machinery underlying transmitter release, activation, and modulation of transmitter receptors and signal transduction cascades. These processes are dynamically regulated and underlie neuroplasticity, crucial to learning and memory formation. In recent years, interaction proteomics has increasingly been used to elucidate the constituents of synaptic protein complexes. Unlike classic hypothesis-based assays, interaction proteomics detects both known and novel interactors without bias. In this trend article, we focus on the technical aspects of recent proteomics to identify synapse protein complexes, and the complementary methods used to verify the protein–protein interaction. Moreover, we discuss the experimental feasibility of performing global analysis of the synapse protein interactome

Safety and Immunogenicity of ChAd63 and MVA ME-TRAP in West African Children and Infants.

Malaria remains a significant global health burden and a vaccine would make a substantial contribution to malaria control. Chimpanzee Adenovirus 63 Modified Vaccinia Ankara Multiple epitope thrombospondin adhesion protein (ME-TRAP) and vaccination has shown significant efficacy against malaria sporozoite challenge in malaria-naive European volunteers and against malaria infection in Kenyan adults. Infants are the target age group for malaria vaccination; however, no studies have yet assessed T-cell responses in children and infants. We enrolled 138 Gambian and Burkinabe children in four different age-groups: 2-6 years old in The Gambia; 5-17 months old in Burkina Faso; 5-12 months old, and also 10 weeks old, in The Gambia; and evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of Chimpanzee Adenovirus 63 Modified Vaccinia Ankara ME-TRAP heterologous prime-boost immunization. The vaccines were well tolerated in all age groups with no vaccine-related serious adverse events. T-cell responses to vaccination peaked 7 days after boosting with Modified Vaccinia Ankara, with T-cell responses highest in 10 week-old infants. Heterologous prime-boost immunization with Chimpanzee Adenovirus 63 and Modified Vaccinia Ankara ME-TRAP was well tolerated in infants and children, inducing strong T-cell responses. We identify an approach that induces potent T-cell responses in infants, which may be useful for preventing other infectious diseases requiring cellular immunity