The Occurrence of High Frequencies of MBL2 polymorphisms in the Xhosa ethnic group of South Africa

Polymorphic changes in a given population give rise to genetic variations. These variations account for differences found within a population. One of the most abundant and common genetic variant that occur in the population is the Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms which are point mutations in genes. The study assessed the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms in mannose binding lectin (MBL2) gene namely rs8191996, rs1838065, rs8179079 and rs1800450 in 366 adult individuals drawn from Xhosa ethnic group of South Africa. The polymorphisms showed high frequencies in its occurrence which was 0.71, 0.42, 0.71 and 0.73 for rs8191996, rs1838065, rs1800450 and rs8179079 respectively. Additionally, the genotype distribution of these polymorphisms showed a predominance of homozygotes over heterozygotes and were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg principle. The high frequencies of the MBL2 polymorphisms under study in this population suggest that there is a high incidence of single gene mutations in Xhosa ethnic group which could make the population vulnerable to infection. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-6-04 Publication date:March 31st 202

Nutrient Content of Four Lesser – Known Green Leafy Vegetables Consumed by Efik and Ibibio People in Nigeria

Leaves of four lesser – known leafy vegetable species (Heinsiacrinita, Lasiantheraafricana, Colocasiaesculenta and Ipomeabatatas) used for traditional food preparations by the Efik and Ibibio ethnic groups in Nigeria were analyzed for proximate composition, amino acid profile and mineral contents. The leaves were washed, cut (2-3mm width) and dried in a conventional oven at 50oC prior to analysis. Crude protein, crude lipid, ash, crude fibre, available carbohydrate and caloric value ranged from 17.15 – 20.73%, 3.67 – 4.66%, 11.50 – 13.75%, 17.98 – 19.36%, 43.78 – 47.23% and 289.62 – 299.98 kcal/100g, respectively. The total amino acids, total essential amino acids and percentage total essential amino acid to total amino acid ranged from 59.58 – 72.24g/100g protein, 27.52 – 31.01g/100 protein and 41.36 – 46.19%, respectively. The K, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe and Zn contents in the leaves ranged from 62.55 – 395.26mg/100g, 127.38 – 763.90mg/100g, 25.59 – 75.69mg/100g, 102.38 – 140.68mg/100g, 7.36 – 18.59mg/100g and 57.65 – 65.35mg/100g, respectively. The result of the study reveals that the four vegetable species contained appreciable levels of crude protein, mineral and crude fibre but low crude lipid. The high crude fibre content suggests that the vegetables may be used in the management of diabetes, obesity and gastrointestinal disorders.Keywords: Heinsiacrinita, Lasiantheraafricana, Colocasiaesculenta, Ipomeabatatas, proximate composition, amino acids

Non-Association of Toll-Like Receptor 2 rs3804099 Polymorphism with Paediatric Tuberculosis in South Africa

Genetic polymorphisms are important risk factors that are involved in development and severity of disease infections especially tuberculosis. In this study, a non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism of immune response protein gene, toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) occurring in exon 2 (rs3804099) was carried out by genotypic analysis of cases and controls for tuberculosis. The paediatric study population consisted of 151 cases and 82 controls obtained mainly from Xhosa ethnic group.Result from this study showed that this non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism of TLR2 was not associated with tuberculosis (p= 0.38). Keywords: Tuberculosis, Toll-like Receptor 2, Paediatrics, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms DOI: 10.7176/ALST/74-06 Publication date:May 31st 201

Protein Kinase C inhibitor Molecule Effect Partial Reversal of Spliceopathy in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2 Cell Line

Myotonic dystrophy is a neuromuscular disease which manifest as two forms namely type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2). One of the major molecular events associated with the disease condition is misregulation of splicing resulting in spliceopathy. This study was performed to assess the effect of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors- Ro 31-8220 and hypericin- on the splicing of insulin receptor (IR) and muscleblind-like (MBNL1) in myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) cell line. The results of this study demonstrated that only Ro 31-8820 was able to effect partial rescue of missplicing of insulin receptor and muscleblind-like 1. It indicates that it could be a possible therapeutic agent for treatment of DM2. Keywords: Myotonic dystrophy, Protein Kinase C inhibitor, spliceopathy, therapeutics DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-14-03 Publication date:July 31st 202

Association of MBL2 Codon 34 Variant of Exon 1 with Severity of Tuberculosis in Paediatric Population of South Africa

The host genetic factors contribute to determining the susceptibility of an individual to an infectious disease and this forms the basis of this study. Many gene polymorphisms have been implicated in disease development and progression.In this study, a genotypic case-control study was carried out to determine the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms in MBL2 on tuberculosis on paediatrics drawn mainly from the Xhosa ethnic group, genotyped together with 366 adult controls from Xhosa population. The MBL2 non-synonymous SNP at codon 34 of exon 1 was found to be associated with the development of TB in the study population especially Xhosa ethnic group (p =0.00002).Therefore, codon 34 variant allele of MBL2 may be a risk factor in the development of TB in paediatric population. Keywords: Tuberculosis, MBL2, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, Paediatric

Quality Control Tests on Andrographis paniculata Nees (Family: Acanthaceae) – an Indian ‘Wonder’ Plant Grown in Nigeria

Purpose: To characterize the aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata, a bitter Indian herb grown in Nigeria, for the purpose of quality control.Methods: The determination of bitterness value and of various physicochemical characteristics; tests for key phytochemicals; and thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the air-dried herb, were carried out as prescribed in standard texts. Results: The mean bitterness value of the herb for both men and women was 2.86 ± 1.74 x 103 unitsper g. The male value (2.07 ± 1.42 x 103) appeared to be lower than the female’s (3.52 ± 1.82 x 103) but the difference was not statistically significant. The results (% w/w) of loss on drying (10.64 ± 0.36), totalash (14.10 ± 4.49), water extractive value (30.37 ± 2.63) and acid insoluble ash (1.00 ± 0.06) were similar to those reported for the Asian plant. The phytochemical tests revealed the presence of glycosides, saponins, tannins and alkaloids, but not of anthraquinones. Normal phase TLC of the drug yielded 5 spots as against 6 spots yielded by reverse TLC. Conclusion: The results provide useful quantitative and descriptive data that are essential for identifying and characterizing the Nigerian grown herb for the purpose of quality control; and confirm keysimilarities between the Nigerian and the Asian plant.Keywords:  Andrographis paniculata, Quality control, Bitterness value, Physicochemical, Phytochemical, Chromatography

Towards Conserving Nigeria’s Environment through Environmental Management Education

Environmental conservation involves the wise use of resources and their preservation from reckless exploitation and wanton destruction. In contemporary Nigeria however, the ideals of conservation have failed to be properly integrated into the National development agenda. Widespread ignorance and low levels environmental awareness have been identified as prominent factors responsible for this despicable state of affairs. Since education remains the cure for ignorance, this paper therefore, aims at emphasizing the urgent imperative for the incorporation of environmental management education as a major component of an integrative framework for the conservation of Nigeria’s environment. The paper contends that effective environmental conservation may never be attained unless and until requisite skills are developed and sufficient awareness created nationally and locally through a robust programme of environmental management education. The paper recommends the adoption of environmental management education as an important component of our effort to ensure effective conservation and national development. Specifically, environmental management education should be introduced as a subject in the primary and secondary schools, while universities and other tertiary institutions should offer it as a general course and make efforts to establish Environmental Management Department in the Faculty of Environmental Studies as approved by the National Universities Commission. Key words: Environmental Management, Education, Conservation, Resources, Awareness

Mannose Binding Lectin Levels Was Not Associated with Resistance to Tuberculosis Infection in the Population of Uyo Metropolis in Nigeria

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL2) is an important pattern recognition molecule that identifies and binds to specific sugar molecules on the surface of pathogens thereby activating its destruction by the immune system. Samples for study were recruited from Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria. In this study, levels of MBL2 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in tuberculosis patients and healthy individuals to determine if the immune protein protects against tuberculosis infection. MBL2 levels in tuberculosis patients and healthy controls were 14.0ng/ml ± 13.9 and 19.9ng/ml ± 18.5 respectively. The results from the study showed that there was no association in MBL2 levels between tuberculosis and controls (p=0.107) as well as between the different sub-groups. Therefore, MBL2 is not a contributory factor in resistance against tuberculosis in the population under study. Keywords: Mannose binding lectin, tuberculosis, pattern recognition molecule, immune system DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-14-02 Publication date:July 31st 202

Scattering of the Exit Beam at the Patient–Cassette Front Material Interface by Ebony Wood

As part of the search for substitute materials for use asradiographic equipment accessories in developing countries,scattering of the exit beam at phantom-material (simulatingthe patient-cassette) interface has been investigated for Ebonywood and aluminium, for comparison, usingthermoluminescent detectors (TLD). Results for significanceof independent samples showed that, there was no statisticaldifference in the scattering of the exit beam towards thephantom, by the two tested materials (P = 0.3) at the 95%confidence interval, with changes in tube potential. Variationof radiation field size however produced a marked difference.This suggests the possible use of Ebony wood as a substitutefor aluminium as a radiographic accessory, subject however,to further radiographic tests and confirmation

Kinetic Models for Drying Techniques—Food Materials

Drying operations can help in reducing the moisture content of food materials for avoidance of microbial growth and deterioration, for shelf life elongation, to minimize packaging and improving storage for easy transportation. Thin-layer drying of materials is necessary to understand the fundamental transport mechanism and a prerequisite to successfully simulate or scale up the whole process for optimization or control of the operating conditions. Re- searchers have shown that to rely solely on experimental drying practices without mathematical considerations for the drying kinetics, can significantly affect the efficiency of dryers, increase the cost of production, and reduce the quality of the dried product. An effective model is necessary for the process design, optimization, energy integration and control; hence, the use of mathematical models in finding the drying kinetics of agricultural products is very important. The statistical criteria in use for the evaluation of the best model(s) has it that coefficient of determination (R2) has to be close to unity while the rest statistical measures will have values tending to zero. In this work, the essence of drying using thin-layer, general approaches to modeling for food drying mechanisms thin layer drying models and optimization of the drying processes have been discussed