STUDIES ON THE EFFICACY OF BRIDELIA FERRUGINEA BENTH BARK EXTRACT FOR DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT

The efficacy of Bridelia ferruginea Benth bark extract in wastewater treatment was investigated. Chemical analysis found the bark to contain potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, iron and copper. Phytochemical tests revealed the bark to contain tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, alkaloids, and steroids. Comparative studies using varying concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 % w/v) with alum and ferric chloride showed that the bark extract was effective in the clarification and sedimentation of total solids in the waste water sample. The optimum dose achieved was 2.5 % w/v with a minimum of 24 hours contact time. The total bacteria counts were reduced by 46 % after 24 hours when the extract was used whereas ferric chloride achieved 50 % reduction and alum achieved 55 % reduction under similar conditions. The feasibility of using the bark extract as an additional coagulant is therefore discussed. KEYWORDS: Bridelia ferruginea, Sedimentation, Total bacteria count, Wastewater treatment Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2007, 21(2), 205-211

A review of the roles of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules in infections

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus is a group of genes located on the short arm of chromosome 6 in human that code for proteins on the cell surface. They have important roles in immune response by the cells of immune system. Using a comprehensive search method on Google Scholar and PubMed databases, literatures on MHC published in English until 2021 were searched with the terms; “MHC”, “HLA”, “MHC antigen presentation” and “MHC roles in infections”. Relevant publications were identified, screened for duplicates and selected per eligibility. The review highlights the different haplotypes of the MHC that either enhance or depress the body immune system to some important viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. The possibility of utilizing this knowledge in genetic engineering and immunomodulation, to prevent infectious diseases and cancers, are discussed

Transforaminal epidural steroid injections for the treatment of lumbosacral radicular pain in a Nigeria tertiary hospital: observational study

Background: Lumbosacral radicular pain is a common cause of chronic low back pain. Despite published reports of effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid for lumbosacral radicular pain, it is underutilised in many tertiary hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed the clinical effects of transforaminal epidural steroid injections in patients with lumbosacral radicular pain at a major tertiary health facility in Nigeria.Methods: This is a prospective observational study carried out between March 2012 and February 2016. Under fluoroscopy, the epidural space was accessed through the neuroforamen using 22G spinal needles in 47 adult patients with lumbosacral radicular pain; and a mixture of 10 mg triamcinolone acetonide and 0.25% plain bupivacaine (2 mLs per level) was injected. Pain intensity and functional impairment were assessed with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores respectively at three and six months.Results: The pain and ODI scores at baseline and at six months’ follow-up improved significantly; 8.49 ± 1.28 vs. 3.6 ± 1.5 (p = 0.002) and 45.1 ± 11.5 vs. 32.4 ± 11.5 (p = 0.001) respectively.Conclusion: Transforaminal epidural steroid injections provided significant pain relief and improved function in patients with lumbar radicular pain due to intervertebral disc herniations.Keywords: herniated intervertebral disc, lumbosacral radicular pain, Nigeria, pain relief, transforaminal epidural steroid injectio

Biodegradative activities of some gram- negative bacilli isolated from kerosene treated soil grown with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

The biodegradative activities of three Gram negative bacilli (Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibro parahaemolyticus and Actinobacillus sp) isolated from soil contaminated with kerosene and planted with cowpea was investigated. The isolates were identified using MicrobactTM ID 24E system for the identification of Enterobacteriaceae and common miscellaneous Gram negative bacilli (MGNB). 2kg of soil collected from University of Ilorin was placed inside transparent, drilled buckets. Physicochemical properties of the soil were recorded. The soil was contaminated with kerosene at different concentrations of 0ml, 7ml, 14ml, 21ml, 56ml, 112ml, 168ml and 224ml. The setup was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Cowpea seeds of the variety Samaru-40 were cultivated and observed for eight weeks. The results indicated that kerosene contamination of soils significantly affected the growth parameters: germination percentage, time of germination, rate of germination, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and root nodules. A negative interaction existed between the level of the contaminant and the growth characteristics measured. Their biodegradative activities were studied and confirmed by the change in the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) using gravimetric method. The biodegradative abilities of the isolates were compared by measuring the optical densities, total viable count, pH and emulsification activity. The results showed that the organisms did better as a consortium rather than singly. Aeromonas hydrophila had the highest biodegradative activity followed by Vibro parahaemolyticus and then Actinobacillus sp. The study recommends the use of Aeromonas hydrophila and consortium for more effective biodegradation.Keywords: Bacterial Biodegradation, Soil, Cowpea, Kerosene, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbo

Potentials of date-seed/snail shells as a carburizer for enhanced mechanical properties of mild-steel

The suitability of date-seed/snail shells as a carburizer for enhanced mechanical properties of mild-steel using the packed carburization technique was investigated in this work. Standard tensile, impact and hardness test samples prepared from mild-steel were subjected to pack-carburization process using mixtures of date-seed and snail shell in the ratio 60:40 respectively at 800, 900, and 1 000 °C for 3 hours. The carburized samples were quenched in water at room temperature and further tempered at 300 °C for 30 minutes for residual stress relief of the quenching effect. The mechanical properties and optical microstructure of carburized specimen were performed. Results indicated an enhanced mechanical property of the carburized mild-steel using date-steel/snail shell as a carburizer compared to un-carburized same steel material. The tensile strength and hardness increased with increasing carburizing temperature, though with an associated decrease in ductility. The peak hardness (32.82 HRB) and tensile strength (521 MPa) with equivalent 31.28 and 51.45 percentage increments respectively were obtained at carburizing temperature of 1 000 °C. Hence, using date-seed/snail shell powder as a carburizer can enhance the mechanical properties of mild-steel

Characterization of bacteria isolates colonizing the throat of hospitalized patients at Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria and in vitro antimicrobial effects of Citrus aurantifolia and Alum on the isolates

Background: Antibiotic resistance in microorganisms implicated in nosocomial respiratory infections is a major reason for prolonged hospital stay and increased cost of therapeutic treatment of hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP). This study was designed to isolate bacterial pathogens  colonizing the throat of hospitalized patients at the Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin, and to evaluate antibacterial effects of extracts of Citrus  aurantifolia peel and Alum against these bacterial isolates. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study of 100 randomly recruited hospitalized patients at the Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. Throat  samples collected from consenting participants were cultured on selective agar media (MacConkey, Eosin-Methylene blue and Mannitol salt) for  isolation of bacteria. Identification of isolates from culture plates was done by Gram reaction and conventional biochemical tests while confirmation  of the isolates was done by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Antibiotic susceptibility test for each isolate to selected antibiotics (ampicillin,  amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, gentamicin, nitrofuran, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin) was done by the Kirby Buer disc  diffusion method. Aqueous extract of Alum ([KAl(SO4).12H2O]) was done to produce concentrations of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% (w/v) at pH 3.6 and  tested on the bacterial isolates using agar diffusion method. Citrus aurantifolia peel was extracted using methanol and hexane solvents to produce  extract concentrations of 500mg/ml, 250mg/ml and 150mg/ml, and tested on the isolates by agar diffusion, and by the broth dilution method to  obtain minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of C. aurantifolia. Results: A total of 14 bacterial isolates were recovered from throat samples of 100 hospitalized patients with Staphylococcus aureus (43%, n=6) being  the most frequent while Escherichia coli (14.5%, n=2) was the least frequent. The isolates were generally resistant to penicillin, aminoglycoside and  fluoroquinolone groups of antibiotics tested. The zone of inhibition for hexane and methanol extracts of C. aurantifolia and aqueous extract of alum  on the bacterial isolates ranged from 11.5-19.2mm, 9.8-15.8mm, and 9.3-21.2mm respectively while those of selected antibiotics ranged from  7.0-25.0mm. The MICs of hexane and methanol extracts of C. aurantifolia against S. aureus were 10mg/ml and 25mg/ml, while the MBCs were 50  and 100mg/ml respectively. Conclusion: Findings from this study showed the presence of resistant pathogenic bacteria colonizing the throat of hospitalized patients receiving care at the Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. The crude extracts of C. aurantifolia and Alum in this study showed inhibitory effects (albeit at  higher concentrations) on the bacterial isolates comparable to the standard antibiotics. We posit that based on the inhibition capacity, further  studies to characterize, purify and isolate the active anti-bacterial components in the extracts should be considered for novelty.&nbsp

Prognostic factors affecting outcome of intrauterine insemination procedures at a fertility center in Ondo, South West Nigeria

Background: There is a recent resurgence in the use of intrauterine insemination (IUI) in Nigeria. However, there is a need for a rational use of the procedure so that couples do not waste time and money on ineffective therapy if it is not indicated.Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the possible prognostic factors affecting outcome of IUI among patients undergoing the procedure.Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective review of the case files and treatment protocols of fifty consecutive couples who had IUI procedure following the established diagnosis of Infertility at the Paramount Fertility Center of Paramount Specialist Hospital Ondo, Nigeria, over a period of 1 year (February 2016 to January 2017).Results: There were ten (20.0%) pregnancies recorded, of which three (6%) clients had first‑trimester miscarriages (between the 5th and 13th weeks), one (2%) had an ectopic pregnancy, whereas six (12%) were carried to the age of viability and delivered. Forty (80%) clients did not achieve pregnancy. The postwash concentration of sperm was noticed to be the only parameter significantly affecting the rate of pregnancy in our treatment cycles with P < 0.05. There was also a trend toward a reduction in pregnancy after the age of 40.Conclusion: This study shows that the postwash sperm count and age of the female have the most predictive value for IUI clinical pregnancy outcome in our center.Keywords: Infertility; intrauterine insemination; prognostic factor

Development of an improved steamer for optimum retention of carotenoids in Attieke produced from biofortified cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots

Open Access ArticleAttiéké, made from biofortified (yellow) cassava genotypes, requires a new cooking method to minimize carotenoid degradation during processing. Thus, this research is aimed at designing and building a more efficient steamer to produce high-quality attiéké from biofortified cassava roots. Using three improved biofortified cassava genotypes (IBA141092, IBA070593, and IBA011368) obtained from IITA research farms, attiéké samples were produced using traditional and developed steamers. The results show that the developed steamer outperformed the traditional steamer; it was 1.5 times faster, used less fuel (2.6 times less), and had higher true carotenoid retention. The developed steamer genotype IBA070593 had the highest true retention of 90.4 percent, while the traditional steamer genotype IBA0141092 had the lowest carotenoid retention of 61.9 percent and the highest in the developed steamer (62.4 percent). When compared to the traditional steamer, the developed steamer had better cooking performance and a more extraordinary ability to retain carotenoids. Thus, the developed steamer is recommended for attiéké processors due to its improved cooking performance, and using this steamer to produce attiéké from biofortified cassava will help to alleviate vitamin A deficiency among attiéké consumers

Studies on the \u3b2-Lactamase Production of Bacterial Isolates From Smoked Bush Meats Correlated With Bacterial Resistance to Three \u3b2-Lactam Antibiotics

Eight bacterial species were isolated from smoked meats and screened for the production of \u3b2-lactamase; which was detected by penicillin impregnated starch paper strips. \u3b2-lactamase was detected in the following bacterial isolates: Klebsiella pneumoniae (75.0%), Escherichia coli (69.7%), Proteus sp. (33.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (25.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (80.0%) and Streptococcus feacalis (12.5%). There was no \u3b2-lactamase detected in Lactobacillus casei and Salmonella sp. isolated from the meats. The prevalence of \u3b2-lactamase detected in the samples shows that the bacteria posses the potential to produce \u3b2-lactamase irrespective of the source of isolation. The sensitivity of the \u3b2-lactam antibiotics (penicillin G, ampicillin and cloxacillin) used range from 8.3-100.0%. Although, penicillin G has the lowest sensitivity of 8.3% to Klebsiella pneumoniae while, ampicillin and cloxacillin were 25.0% and 16.7% sensitive to the same bacteria respectively. Salmonella species is the most susceptible (range from 70.0-100.0%) to the tested antibiotics among the \u3b2-lactamase positive bacteria screened. The frequency of occurrence of the pathogenic bacteria and the feacal indicator organism (E.coli) indicated gross contamination of some of the meat samples analyzed; this indicates that the meats may have been contaminated either during processing with faecal contaminated water or handling by the sellers. In conclusion, the habit of eating uncooked smoked meat should be discouraged and emphasis should be laid on properly cooked meat before consumption