Assessment of Productivity Status Using Carlson’s TSI and Fish Diversity of Goronyo Dam, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Goronyo Dam is the largest lentic waterbody in Sokoto, it was constructed to serve as flood control and used for irrigation activities. The study was conducted to evaluate productivity status and fish diversity of Goronyo Dam in 2016. Water samples were collected monthly from the Dam at two sampling sites (Upstream and Downstream). Water samples were collected using sterilized sampling bottles and analyzed in the Laboratory for physicochemical variables and the diversity of fish was evaluated through the use of a structured questionnaire. Depth and transparency were the only variables that did not show any statistically significant difference between the months. Productivity status of the dam was evaluated using Carlson’s Trophic State Index. The downstream has high TSI value of 16.54 compared to upstream with 13.00. A diversity of fishes from the shows that 3 species were more abundant in the dam, these were; Mormyrops species, Alestes species and Clupeid species. Factors contributed to the survival of fish species were an abundance of water and plankton in the dam. While factors affecting the distribution of fish species were pollution and predation

Determination of Heavy Metals and Biological Contaminants Present in Locally Processed Tomato, Pepper and Onion Puree Samples from Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria

Contamination of food by heavy metals and microorganisms often occurs right from the farmlands and during processing. This endangers health by predisposition to diseases and factors that can initiate carcinogenesis. The levels of heavy metals and microbial contaminants in tomato, pepper and onion puree processed in some commercial milling points in Maiduguri metropolis was assessed. Twenty samples were obtained by random selection and analyzed for heavy metals by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Samples were cultured on nutrient, blood, MacConkey and mannitol salt agar media for 72 hours using streak plate method. The concentrations of heavy metals were within the range: mercury (0.158 ± 0.10 to 0.321 ± 0.27 mg/L), lead (0.167 ± 0.08 to 0.317 ± 0.25 mg/L), nickel (0.222 ± 0.11 to 0.574 ± 0.23 mg/L) and copper (0.032 ± 0.03 to 0.057 ± 0.03 mg/L) while cadmium was not detected in all the samples analyzed. Three pathogenic gram-negative (Escherichia coli Klebsiella species and Proteus mirabilis) and two less pathogenic gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Coryne bacterium specie) were isolated from the samples. The detection of very low concentrations of heavy metals was within WHO safety limits, while the presence of pathogenic bacteria rises concern over the health status of the general public. There is need to create awareness about good hygiene practices to operators of commercial milling machines within the study area

Evaluation of Physico-Chemical and Fungal Species Associated with Oil Contaminated Soil from Selected Automobile Garage in Sokoto Metropolis

This study was conducted with a view to evaluating the physicochemical and mycological properties of different oil contaminated soils collected from three different automobile garages in Sokoto Metropolis, and uncontaminated soil from the temporary site, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) was used as the control. The pH was determined using pH meter model Hanna (H1991301), quantity of mineral elements was evaluated in accordance with Murphy and Fungi were isolated from the three oil contaminated samples (A, B. and C) and the uncontaminated (sample D) as control, this was done by standard procedure using the method of P. Ren, T. Jankun & B. Leaderer. The physical, chemical, and mineral elements from the oil-contaminated soils of the three automobile garages and control. The results of particle soil analysis revealed the high content of sandy soil (96.2 to 87.3) and silt is the lowest with (2.5–0.6). Magnesium had the highest concentration of studied minerals, ranging from 193 to 649.2 mg/kg. while PH result revealed that the soil samples were pH value ranged from (16.85–16.20) in oil Contaminated samples, while the control had 15.90, and electrical conductivity ranged from 12.8–13.8 % and 28 % in control, four fungal isolates Aspergillus sp., Penicillum sp., Mucor sp. and Sporobolomyces sp. were identified based on colonial, sexual and morphological characteristics. These fungal strains can be used in bioremediation process and oil pollution reduction in aquatic ecosystems

Prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in Abarma village, Gusau, Nigeria: A preliminary investigation

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity ofurinary schistosomiasis in Abarma district of Gusau Local GovernmentArea of Zamfara State, Nigeria. A total of 400 urine samples were collected and analyzed for the eggs of Schistosoma haematobium using the standard filtration technique out of which 296 (74.0%) were found to be infected. The mean egg intensity of infection was 77.63 eggs/10ml of urine. The infection rate was higher among males 81.7% than the females 68.6%, although the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The males had higher mean egg intensity of 139.36 eggs/10ml of urine compared to the females with 38.16%eggs/10ml of urine. The highest infection was recorded in the age group 10-19 years, with 86.8% and egg mean intensity of 102.7 eggs/10ml of urine while the least infection rate occurred within the 30- 39 years and 50-59 years age groups, with 55.0 and 50.0 eggs/10ml of urine respectively indicating infection to be age specific (p < 0.05). Statistical analysis indicated the infection to be higher in lower age  group (p < 0.05). With respect to occupation, students were the highest infected (87.65%), followed by farmers (85.7%), traders (75.0%), housewives (58.7%) and civil servants (12.5%). Prolonged contact with water was a factor aiding infection as the people engaged in farming had the highest infection rate of 100.0% while those that went to the river to fetch water had the least infection rate of 52.7%. Those thatwent to the river for fishing had the highest mean egg intensity of 112.18 eggs/10ml of urine, while the least mean egg intensity occurred among those that engaged in swimming with 32.13 eggs/10ml of urine. These findings indicate that the area is endemic to urinary schistosomiasis and therefore prompt intervention in the study area is needed

Phytochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Root and Leaf Extracts of Calotropis procera

Phytochemical and antibacterial properties of water, methanol and ethanol extracts obtained from root and leaf of Calotropis procera were investigated. Antibacterial growth inhibition was determined using Ditch method against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyrogenes. The phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and cardiac glycosides, balsams and volatile oil and steroids with higher amount in water extracts. The concentration of the phytochemical constituents were in the order of water > methanol > ethanol. Water extracts showed broad spectrum activity against the tested organisms at concentrations of 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg/ml. Methanol and ethanol extracts did not show a significant effect against the tested organisms at 120 mg/ml as compared with those of tetracycline. The result of this study validates the use of water extract of this species in ethnomedicine and could provide a lead in the isolation of antibacterial agents from water extracts of Calotropis procera

Documentation and evaluation of medicinal plants with potential for breast cancer therapy as used by Jakun Community of Kampung Peta, Mersing, Johor

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death among women globally. Traditional knowledge (TK) could be a means for the development of new BC treatment; however, TK is perishing due to socialisation and lack of natural resources conservation. The research aimed to document the TK of medicinal plants used for the treatment of breast cancer by Jakun community of Kampung Peta, Mersing Johor; to examine the secondary metabolites, the antioxidant and cytotoxic effect of the selected plants extract. Documentation of TK was analysed qualitatively from semi-structured interviews. The six species (Artocarpus. altilis, Dioscorea bulbifera, Morinda citrifolia, Pinanga limosa, Ipomoea aquatica and Dianella ensifolia) from six families and six genera were documented. They were evaluated for their antioxidant properties using FRAP, ABTS and DPPH assays and the effects of the plant's extracts on the proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were evaluated using MTT assay, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. GC-MS was used to identify active the compounds. Findings showed that A. altilis have the highest antioxidant capacity and M. citrifolia, the least. A. altilis methanol extract (AAM), D. bulbifera methanol extract (DBM) and P. limosa methanol extract (PIM) were found to induce cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 with the IC50 value range of 3.27 - 41.70μg/ml. Cell cycle analysis showed that the plant's extracts induced significant arrest at Sub G1 and G2/M at 24 hrs of treatment. Afterwards, 48 and 72 hrs of treatment, the proportion of cells in other phases had reduced significantly as compared to their control. Apoptosis occurred during the first 24 hrs and increased dramatically after 48 and 72 hrs of treatment. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of phytol, acetic acid and hexadecanoic acid among the major metabolites that might contribute to the anti-proliferative effect. The studies scientifically justified the use of the selected medicinal plant species by Jakun people. Further studies are necessary for detailed chemical characterisation and broader biological evaluation of the most active ingredients

Prevalence of Microalbuminuria among Diabetic Patients in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto

Diabetic nephropathy is a common phenomenon in patients with diabetes. Its prevalence risk factors have not been fully  described in black African patients. This study determined the prevalence of microalbuminuria (mal) among diabetic patients in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto. It involved 100 diabetics and 50 healthy controls.  Mal was  estimated by BCG-dye binding method, while fasting blood glucose (FBG) by glucose oxidation method. The prevalence of mal varied between males (24.3%) and females (16.6%). The duration of the disease ranged from < 5 years (42.0%) with   8(14.5%) having abnormal mal, (58%) >5 years with (31%) having abnormal mal, (30%) < 30 years having (17.1%) having abnormal mal and (70%) >30 years having (24%) with abnormal mal. The prevalence of mal was 22% (17% males and 5% females). FBG differed significantly (p<0.05) between patients (11.01±1.03mmol/l) and control subjects (4.38±0.07 mmol/l). Urinary albumin excretion was significantly higher in diabetics than in control (57.65±18.92 versus 24.16±1.48mg/24hrs respectively). Mal significantly (p<0.05) increased with duration of diagnosis of diabetes (108.6±14 versus 214.6±9.1  mg/24hrs in <5 years and >5years group respectively). Poor glycaemic control was the only modifiable predictor for the  development of mal. Other non-modifiable risk factors related to progression of mal are sex and duration of disease. Early diagnosis of mal and aggressive glycaemic control is hereby recommended.Keywords: Microalbuminuria, Diabetic nephropathy, Fasting blood glucos

An Examination of Poverty Among Households in Minna Capital of Niger State, Nigeria

This study examines the poverty among households living in Minna. A structured questionnaire was used in collecting data from one hundred and sixty (160) scientifically selected respondents. The analytical tools was the P-alpha measure of poverty (poverty head count index, Po; poverty gap index, P1; and poverty squared gap index, P2). The Po revealed that 48.6% of the respondents were below the poverty line while the P1 and P2 with values of 0.34 and 0.27 respectively, revealed that the issue of poverty in Minna demands urgent attention. Equally, the incidence of poverty was high (99.91%) among the illiterate household heads whereas poverty incidence, depth and severity were very high among older farmers of above fifty eight (58) years of age. The study concluded that there is soaring poverty incidence in the study neighbourhood and therefore recommends that more endeavour and funds ought to be dedicated towards practical poverty reduction programmes at both the State and Local Government Levels in Niger State. Key Words: Poverty Gap, Poverty Headcount, Poverty Line, Household Expenditure

MALAYSIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS' POTENTIAL FOR BREAST CANCER THERAPY

Objective: This review focused on Malaysian medicinal plants that have been evaluated and pose potentials to treat breast cancer.Methods: Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Biomed, ResearchGate, academia.edu, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, and Ingenta databases were searched for this review and studies reported between January 1st, 2010 and June 30th, 2016.Results: A total of 105 plants species representing 54 different families and 79 genera were reviewed. 97% of the plants were tested using MCF-7 and MDA-231 breast cancer cell lines and exhibited most significant in vitro anticancer activity, and 3% were tested using another type of breast cancer cell lines. Most of the bioactive compounds of the medicinal plants that exhibited good activity (IC50 values <120 μg/mL) are a group of phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and saponins. Induction of apoptosis was found to be the significant cell death pathway.Conclusion: This article reviews the available literature concerning research on anti-breast cancer plants. Furthermore, identification and characterization of active components and toxicology evaluation also need to be studied in details and also point out their clinical trials

Secondary metabolites, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities of Dioscorea bulbifera Leaf Collected from Endau Rompin, Johor, Malaysia

Breast cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death among women globally. Malaysia is a country that is rich in medicinal plant species. Hence, this research aims to explore the secondary metabolites, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities of Dioscorea bulbifera leaf collected from Endau Rompin, Johor, Malaysia. Antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assays, while the cytotoxicity of D. bulbifera on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines was tested using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis were assessed using flow cytometry analysis. Phytochemical profiling was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed that methanol extract had the highest antioxidant activity in DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays, followed by ethyl acetate and hexane extracts. D. bulbifera tested against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines showed a pronounced cytotoxic effect with IC50 values of 8.96 μg/mL, 6.88 μg/mL, and 3.27 μg/mL in MCF-7 and 14.29 μg/mL, 11.86 μg/mL, and 7.23 μg/mL in MDA-MB-231, respectively. Cell cycle analysis also indicated that D. bulbifera prompted apoptosis at various stages, and a significant decrease in viable cells was detected within 24 h and substantially improved after 48 h and 72 h of treatment. Phytochemical profiling of methanol extract revealed the presence of 39 metabolites such as acetic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, acetin, hexadecanoate, 7-tetradecenal, phytol, octadecanoic acid, cholesterol, palmitic acid, and linolenate. Hence, these findings concluded that D. bulbifera extract has promising anticancer and natural antioxidant agents. However, further study is needed to isolate the bioactive compounds and validate the effectiveness of this extract in the In in vivo model