Antimicrobial activity of moringa on ear, nose and throat associated fungi, and vancomycin resistant cocci isolated at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

This study was aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial activity of Moringa on ear, nose and throat associated fungi and vancomycin resistant cocci. The plant material was extracted with methanol and petroleum ethe and screened for phytochemical contents. The microbial isolates were obtained from females and males patients (both adults and children) attending ear, nose and throat clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Coccal bacteria and fungi were isolated accordingly. The cocci were screened for vancomycin resistance. The antimicrobial assay was carried out using gradient double (12.5-100mg/mL) assay. The MIC, MBC/MFC and Brine shrimp toxicity test were also conducted. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus were isolated. Up to 21.4% of S. aureus were vancomycin resistant, 20% of S. pneumoniae isolated were vancomycin resistant and 16.7% S. pyogenes were vancomycin resistant. The plant extracts showed zones of inhibition of 08mm-20mm at concentrations ranging from 12.5-100mg/mL. The most susceptible organism to both extracts was C. albicans and the least susceptible was S. aureus. The MIC of the methanol extracts ranged from 0.78 to 50mg/mL but MBC/MFC ranged from 6.25 to 200mg/mL. The MIC of the petroleum ether was at 50 to 200mg/mL and the MBC/MFC was from 200 to 800mg/mL. The brine shrimp lethality assay showed LC50 value of 93.48μg/mL for Moringa methanol extract while the LC50 value for Moringa petroleum ether extract was 3.691μg/mL. Moringa methanol extract (100mg/mL), showed appreciable activity against the fungal isolates and vancomycin resistant cocci associated with Ear, Nose and Throat symptoms while Moringa petroleum ether extract showed activity only on the fungal isolate C. albicans. The study demonstrated that Moringa methanol extracts was more active than Moringa petroleum ether extracts. The search for novel cytotoxic ingredient in Moringa should be encouraged.Keywords: Antimicrobial, Moringa, Ear, Nose, Throat, Fungi, Vancomycin, Resistant, Cocc

Modeling and analytical simulation of anterior polymerization in the presence of an inert material

The ability to fabricate advanced materials with specific properties efficiently requires a complete understanding of the polymerization kinetics and the effect of several preparative variables such as temperature, monomer and initiator. This paper presents an analytical method for describing anterior polymerization in two adjacent thin layers. Both the initial temperatures and initial monomer and initiator concentrations are assumed to depend on the space variable. We prove the existence and uniqueness of solution of the model by actual solution method. The equations are solved using parameter-expanding method and eigenfunctions expansion technique. The results obtained were discussed. The study shows that the Frank-Kamenetskii number and frequency factors of the two reactions have significant effects on the propagation of the polymerization wave.Keywords: Polymerization, anterior polymerization, polymers, Arrhenius kinetics, parameter-expanding method, eigenfunctions expansion techniqu

Effects of shisha smoke inhalation on some long-term memory forms in adult male mice

Background: Shisha is a flavoured tobacco designed to be smoked in a water-pipe, but it effects on long-term memory has not been fully explored. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Shisha smoke inhalation on some long-term memory models in adult male BALB/c mice. Methods: Twenty male mice were divided into 4 groups of five mice each. Group I (control): fresh air; group II: exposed to bonged Shisha; group III: exposed to unbonged Shisha; group IV: exposed to activated charcoal smoke only. Each group was exposed for thirty minutes daily for seven weeks. Long-term memory was assessed using elevated plus maze (EPM), novel object recognition test (NORT) and Barnes maze (BM). Results: There was statistically significant decrease (P<0.05) in novel object recognition in bonged Shisha group when compared with the control. There was statistically significant increase (P<0.05) in spatial learning and memory in bonged Shisha group when compared with control. There was statistically significant decrease (P<0.05) in acetylcholinesterase activity in bonged Shisha group when compared with control, but there was no statistically significant difference in anxiety related spatial memory in elevated plus maze when compared with the control. There was also increased in necrosis of hippocampal cells in bonged Shisha group and slight necrosis in unbonged and activated charcoal smoke when compared to control mice. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study suggest that bonged Shisha smoke is neurotoxic to the brain because of combined effect of various toxicants emanating from different Shisha smoke constituents used in the set-up Keywords: Shisha, Memory, Hippocampus, Acetylcholinesteras

Focus on Niger State Housing Corporation (N.S.H.C.)

Established in 1979, Niger State Housing Corporation (NSHC)had the primary responsibility to address qualitative and quantitative housing inadequacy in Niger State, thereby enhancing the standard of living of her citizens, this article with the aim of elucidating the activities of the Corporation for performance rating , has the objectives to examine its consultancy and contracting services, and to assess its home ownership and other programmes. The methodology adopted for the study was the qualitative research design method which provides description of case studies with purposive sampling, hence the analyses also. The results of the study concluded that the NSHC’s performance from inception to date has been very satisfactory, and recommended that the Corporation enhances its programmes and continue to discharge its responsibilities to Nigerian citizens in the State with more enlightenment about its activitie

Light, stratification and zooplankton as controlling factors for the spring development of phytoplankton in Lake Constance

The patterns of phytoplankton growth and decline during the spring bloom and the following clear-water phase in Lake Constance have been studied on the basis of cell counts with short-term sampling intervals and related to light climate, stratification and zooplankton pressure

Statistical Modelling Optimisation of Cellulase Enzyme Immobilisation on Functionalised Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Empty Fruit Bunches Degradation

Abstract: Cellulase obtained from the fermentation of sewage treatment plant sludge (STP) by Trichoderma-reesei RUT C-30 was covalently immobilised on functionalised multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Statistical optimisation using the Plackett-Burman design method was implemented to identify parameters with significant effects on the process of immobilisation. The results obtained from this Plackett-Burman design show that three parameters have a significant effect on immobilisation: pH, temperature, and N-ethyl-N-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) concentration. Based on our Plackett-Burman design results, these parameters were further optimised using a face-centred central composite design. The resulting optimum conditions for cellulase immobilisation, as determined by face-centred central composite design, were pH 4.5, 30°C, and 1 mL of 10mg/mL EDC. The amount of immobilised cellulase was approximately 98% using these optimum conditions. The resulting MWCNT-cellulase composite was further characterized by FTIR and SEM. The FTIR spectrum of MWCNT-cellulase composite showed an amide group peak (O = C-NH) corresponding to cellulase enzyme, which confirms that immobilisation took place