Evaluation of selected parameters of rat liver and kidney function following repeated administration of yohimbine.

The effects of administration of yohimbine, an aphrodisiac on some functional parameters of rat liver and kidney were investigated. White male albino rats weighing between 200-250g were grouped into two such that one group was orally administered with 14mg/kg body weight on daily basis for 15days while the control received an appropriate volume of sterile distilled water on daily basis for the same period. Bilirubin concentration in the test showed a significant decrease (P<0.01) when compared with the control, with an interruption of a significant increase only on day 5 of administration (P<0.01). Sodium ion concentration showed significant increase only on the first and the last days when compared with the control (P<0.01). The serum albumin content and K+ displayed significant increase throughout the experimental period (P<0.01) while serum content of urea and creatinine decreased significantly throughout the period of administration (P<0.01). The results suggest that yohimbine administration has adverse affect on the functional capacities of the liver and the kidney.Key words: Functional parameters, Kidney, Liver, Yohimbin

Hematotoxicity study of the leaf extract of Albizia chevalieri harms (Leguminosae)

Uvod: Postoje izvješća o značajnom hipoglikemijskom učinku vodenog ekstrakta lišća biljke Albizia chevalieri kod dijabetičnih štakora s šećernom bolesti izazvane aloksanom. Materijali i metode: Učinak vodenog ekstrakta lišća Albizia chevalieri na hematološke varijable i patohistološku analizu ispitan je kod štakora kojima su davane akutne i subkronične doze ovoga pripravka. Štakori na akutnim dozama primili su između 0 i 3000 mg/kg tjelesne težine ekstrakta oralno u jednoj dozi, dok su oni na subkroničnim dozama primali između 0 i 1500 mg/kg tjelesne težine na dan kroz 28 dana. Testirani parametri analizirali su se u uzorcima krvi i tkiva na kraju razdoblja promatranja. Rezultati: Ekstrakt nije imao značajnog učinka (P>0,05) na koncentraciju hemoglobina, crvenu krvnu sliku, volumen koncentriranih stanica (engl. packed cell volume, PCV) (hematokrit), bijelu krvnu sliku i diferencijalnu krvnu sliku, te broj trombocita u testu akutne toksičnosti. Nije bilo značajnog učinka na srednji stanični volumen (engl. mean cell volume, MCV), srednju vrijednost staničnog hemoglobina (engl. mean cell hemoglobin, MCH) i srednju koncentraciju staničnog hemoglobina (engl. mean cell hemoglobin concentration, MCHC). kod štakora na akutnim i subkroničnim dozama ekstrakta (P>0,05). U studiji subkronične toksičnosti, PCV, bijela krvna slika i diferencijalna slika (P<0,05) pokazali su značajne i od dozi neovisne razlike od kontrolnih vrijednosti. Pa-tohistološka analiza tkiva jetre, bubrega i srca štakora pokazala je normalne nalaze kako nakon akutnog tako i nakon subkroničnog davanja ekstrakta. Zaključak: Vodeni ekstrakt lišća Albizia chevalieri, za koji je objavljeno da ima značajno hipoglikemijsko djelovanje kod štakora sa šećernom bolesti izazvane aloksanom, mogao bi biti siguran za primjenu u ispitivanim dozama.Background: Aqueous leaf extract of Albizia chevalieri has been reported to have a significant hypoglycemic effect in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: The effects of the aqueous leaf extract on hema-tologic variables and histopathologic analyses were assessed in rats treated with acute and sub-chronic doses. Rats treated with acute doses received between 0 and 3000 mg/kg body weight of the extract orally in a single dose, whereas those treated with sub-chronic doses received between 0 and 1500 mg/kg body weight per day for 28 days. Blood and tissue samples were analyzed for the tested parameters at the end of the observation period. Results: The extract had no significant (P>0.05) effect on hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, packed cell volume, white blood cell and differential counts, and platelets count in the acute toxicity test. The mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of rats treated with acute and sub-chronic doses of the extract were not significantly (P>0.05) affected. Packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) and differential counts were significantly (P<0.05) different from the control in a non-dose dependent fashion in the sub-chronic toxicity study. Rat liver, kidney and heart tissues analyzed histopathologically were normal upon both acute and sub-chronic administration of the extract. Conclusion: Aqueous leaf extract of A. chevalieri, which has been reported to have a significant hypoglycemic effect in alloxan diabetic rats, might be safe in the tested doses

Optimisation and dose responses of bioluminescent bacterial biosensors induced with target hydrocarbons

Routine analytical methods are constrained in the speed of application, sample throughput and inability to determine the right bioavailable loading of pollutants. Microbial biosensor technology resolved these constraints by offering the most rapid, sensitive, reliable and cost-effective technology, especially in a bioavailable context. This study describes the growth characterisation and optimisation of three different lux-marked biosensors and their induction bioassay, thus testing their responses to doses of target hydrocarbons (naphthalene, toluene, Isopropylbenzene) and solution of mixed hydrocarbons. These biosensors, Pseudomonas fluorescence HK44, Escherichia coli HMS174 and Pseudomonas putidaTVA8 harbours luxCDABE reporter genes coupled to induction by hydrocarbons. Biosensors harvested at optimal exponential phase and induced with hydrocarbon using the optimised assay conditions are highly sensitive and responsive to their inducers in a proportionate dose-dependent status. The established dose responses of these catabolic biosensors signify the prospect of extrapolation for estimating the genuine contamination loading of pollutants for environmental relevance. However, several factors may contribute to the quenching effect at high concentration of inducers. Robust responsiveness to mixed hydrocarbon solution has been also realised accentuating its feasibility in analysing of real environmental samples containing heterogenous pollutants. This study emphasises the suitability of bioluminescent bacterial biosensors for pollutants analysis and notably the detection of soluble bioavailable fractions of diverse hydrocarbons, hence, serves as a reliable bioindicator of hydrocarbon pollution in an environment. Even so, the real value of biosensors is for a suite of ecologically justified biosensors to be applied in complementary combinations with other focused analytical or chemical methods for broad and resourceful inference

Evaluation of selected parameters of rat liver and kidney function following repeated administration of yohimbine.

The effects of administration of yohimbine, an aphrodisiac on some functional parameters of rat liver and kidney were investigated. White male albino rats weighing between 200-250g were grouped into two such that one group was orally administered with 14mg/kg body weight on daily basis for 15days while the control received an appropriate volume of sterile distilled water on daily basis for the same period. Bilirubin concentration in the test showed a significant decrease (P<0.01) when compared with the control, with an interruption of a significant increase only on day 5 of administration (P<0.01). Sodium ion concentration showed significant increase only on the first and the last days when compared with the control (P<0.01). The serum albumin content and K+ displayed significant increase throughout the experimental period (P<0.01) while serum content of urea and creatinine decreased significantly throughout the period of administration (P<0.01). The results suggest that yohimbine administration has adverse affect on the functional capacities of the liver and the kidney

Serum antioxidant vitamins levels in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus subjects in Sokoto, Nigeria

Evidence is accumulating that most of the degenerative diseases including diabetes mellitus have their origin in deleterious free radical reactions. Humans are well endowed with antioxidant defences primarily by free radical scavengers, such as ascorbic acid, alphatocopherol, betacarotene, and trace elements. Deficiencies of these micronutrients may increase susceptibility to these diseases and the associated complications. Antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, E and C) were estimated in one hundred and fifty (150) non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients attending the outpatient clinic of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. The results obtained were compared to those of One hundred and fifty (150) apparently healthy non-diabetic subjects. Serum glucose of the diabetic patients (13.59 ± 4.85mM) was significantly higher (

Serum levels of antioxidant vitamins and mineral elements of human immunodeficiency virus positive subjects in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background : Undernourishment and micronutrient deficiencies exacerbate immunosuppression, oxidative stress, acceleration of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication and CD4 T-cell depletion in HIV-infected individuals. Materials and Methods : The current work reports the serum levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, C and E) and minerals (Zn, Fe, Cu) in 90 HIV positive subjects attending the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria. The serum levels of the micronutrients were correlated with the CD4 count of the subjects. Results : The results showed that the HIV positive subjects have significantly lower (P < 0.05) levels of vitamins A, C and E. Also, serum Zn, Fe, Cu and CD4 count were also significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared with the HIV negative subjects. Micronutrient deficiencies were more pronounced in HIV positive subjects with CD4 counts less than 200 cell/μl. The results based on age and sex showed no significant (P > 0.05) difference. Vitamins A, E and C and Zn and Fe showed positive correlation with CD4 count of the HIV positive subjects. Conclusion : The results suggest that the HIV subjects in the study area have lowered serum levels of antioxidant micronutrients and that the levels decrease with increase in the severity of the infection. These may increase the chances of the symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects progressing into full-blown Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.Arrière-plan: Sous-alimentation et les carences en micronutriments exacerbent immunosuppression, stress oxydant, accélération de la réplication du virus de l’immunodéficience humaine (VIH) et l’appauvrissement de la cellule-T CD4 de personnes infectées par le VIH. Matériel et méthodes: Travail le courant signale les niveaux de sérum de vitamines antioxygènes (vitamines A, C et E) et les minéraux (Zn, Fe, Cu) dans 90 sujets positives au VIH qui fréquentent le Usmanu Danfodiyo University Hospital de l’enseignement (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria. Les niveaux de sérum des micronutriments étaient en corrélation avec le nombre de CD4 du sujets. Résultats: Les résultats ont montré que les sujets de positifs au VIH ont sensiblement inférieur (P < 0,05) niveaux de vitamines A, C et e. Aussi, sérum Zn, Fe, Cu et de CD4 nombre étaient également significativement (P < 0,05) inférieur comparé avec les sujets négatifs du VIH. Carences en micronutriments étaient plus prononcées dans les Séropositifs sujets avec CD4 compte moins de 200 cellules/μl. Les résultats basés sur l’âge et le sexe a montré non significatifs (P > 0,05) différence. Vitamines A, E et C et Zn et Fe a montré une corrélation positive avec nombre de CD4 du VIH positif sujets. Conclusion: Les résultats suggèrent que les sujets du VIH dans le domaine de l’étude ont abaissé sérique de micronutriments antioxygènes et que les niveaux diminuent avec l’augmentation de la gravité de l’infection. Ces peuvent accroître les chances des sujets symptomatiques et asymptomatiques progresse en véritable immunodéficience acquise syndrome

Serum levels of antioxidant vitamins and mineral elements of human immunodeficiency virus positive subjects in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background : Undernourishment and micronutrient deficiencies exacerbate immunosuppression, oxidative stress, acceleration of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication and CD4 T-cell depletion in HIV-infected individuals. Materials and Methods : The current work reports the serum levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, C and E) and minerals (Zn, Fe, Cu) in 90 HIV positive subjects attending the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria. The serum levels of the micronutrients were correlated with the CD4 count of the subjects. Results : The results showed that the HIV positive subjects have significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) levels of vitamins A, C and E. Also, serum Zn, Fe, Cu and CD4 count were also significantly (P &lt; 0.05) lower compared with the HIV negative subjects. Micronutrient deficiencies were more pronounced in HIV positive subjects with CD4 counts less than 200 cell/\u3bcl. The results based on age and sex showed no significant (P &gt; 0.05) difference. Vitamins A, E and C and Zn and Fe showed positive correlation with CD4 count of the HIV positive subjects. Conclusion : The results suggest that the HIV subjects in the study area have lowered serum levels of antioxidant micronutrients and that the levels decrease with increase in the severity of the infection. These may increase the chances of the symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects progressing into full-blown Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.Arri\ue8re-plan: Sous-alimentation et les carences en micronutriments exacerbent immunosuppression, stress oxydant, acc\ue9l\ue9ration de la r\ue9plication du virus de l\u2019immunod\ue9ficience humaine (VIH) et l\u2019appauvrissement de la cellule-T CD4 de personnes infect\ue9es par le VIH. Mat\ue9riel et m\ue9thodes: Travail le courant signale les niveaux de s\ue9rum de vitamines antioxyg\ue8nes (vitamines A, C et E) et les min\ue9raux (Zn, Fe, Cu) dans 90 sujets positives au VIH qui fr\ue9quentent le Usmanu Danfodiyo University Hospital de l\u2019enseignement (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria. Les niveaux de s\ue9rum des micronutriments \ue9taient en corr\ue9lation avec le nombre de CD4 du sujets. R\ue9sultats: Les r\ue9sultats ont montr\ue9 que les sujets de positifs au VIH ont sensiblement inf\ue9rieur (P &lt; 0,05) niveaux de vitamines A, C et e. Aussi, s\ue9rum Zn, Fe, Cu et de CD4 nombre \ue9taient \ue9galement significativement (P &lt; 0,05) inf\ue9rieur compar\ue9 avec les sujets n\ue9gatifs du VIH. Carences en micronutriments \ue9taient plus prononc\ue9es dans les S\ue9ropositifs sujets avec CD4 compte moins de 200 cellules/\u3bcl. Les r\ue9sultats bas\ue9s sur l\u2019\ue2ge et le sexe a montr\ue9 non significatifs (P &gt; 0,05) diff\ue9rence. Vitamines A, E et C et Zn et Fe a montr\ue9 une corr\ue9lation positive avec nombre de CD4 du VIH positif sujets. Conclusion: Les r\ue9sultats sugg\ue8rent que les sujets du VIH dans le domaine de l\u2019\ue9tude ont abaiss\ue9 s\ue9rique de micronutriments antioxyg\ue8nes et que les niveaux diminuent avec l\u2019augmentation de la gravit\ue9 de l\u2019infection. Ces peuvent accro\ueetre les chances des sujets symptomatiques et asymptomatiques progresse en v\ue9ritable immunod\ue9ficience acquise syndrome

Facial Recognition System Using Local Binary Pattern (LBP) Algorithm as a Tool in Curbing Agricultural Loan

Face recognition (FR) technology can be used in wide range of applications such as identity authentication, access control, and surveillance. Interests and research activities in face recognition have increased significantly over the past twenty years, in this research, local binary pattern was be used to design a system that will store all the faces of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) anchor borrowers’ loan beneficiaries, the system will use farmers faces binary information and inject the binary information into the recovery farmers database so that no multiple loan will be given to any defaulter and their facial identity will be revealed. The final output of the anchor borrower programme(ABP) is to create economic linkage between smallholder farmers and reputable large-scale processors with a view to increasing agricultural output and significantly&nbsp;&nbsp; improving&nbsp;&nbsp; capacity&nbsp;&nbsp; utilization&nbsp;&nbsp; of&nbsp;&nbsp; processors

Anti-oxidative Effects of Butanol Seed Extract of Parkinsonia aculeata on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Damage on Wistar Rats

Medicinal plants have protective effect because of the presence of several compounds which have different mechanism of action. This study sought to assess the anti-oxidative effects of butanol seed extract of Parkinsonia aculeata on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage on Wistar rats. The Wistar rats were put into five groups, each with six rats: Group A received a daily dosage of liquid paraffin (1ml/kg); Group B received 1ml/kg body weight of CCl4 (30% in liquid paraffin intraperitoneal); Group C, D, and E received the seed extracts at 100, 120, and 160 mg/kg every day for two weeks. Induction of CCl4 was three times a week for two weeks simultaneously with the extract to the last day. After sacrificed, the liver was harvested and homogenized, and used for further analyses. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase in all extract treated groups compared to positive control, except the catalase levels of group treated with 160mg/kg. Similar results was observed in vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione in rats treated with 100 and 120mg/kg of the extract. The results of this study revealed that butanol seed extract from P. aculeata has antioxidant properties and can protect Wistar rats' livers from the damaging effects of CCl4