Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Bacteria Isolated from Fitness Machines in Selected Fitness Centers at Akure and Elizade University in Ondo State Nigeria

Aim: This study seeks to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from surfaces of fitness machines at fitness center located at Elizade University and Akure town. Methods: Samples were collected from the different site of gym equipment including thread mill (handle, floor), bicep bench (handle), bike (handle, paddle), cruncher (handle, elbow) using sterile swab stick moistened with sterile buffered physiological solution. The swab sticks were immediately transferred to the laboratory for analysis. Standard microbiological techniques were used to identify the bacterial isolates. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates was determined by using standard antibiotics discs. Results: Out of the 31 isolates identified, Staphylococcus aureus 12(38.7%) was the predominant bacteria followed by Bacillus spp. 11(35.5%), Klebsiella spp. 4(12.9%), E. coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus 2(6.45%) and Enterococcus spp. 1(3.23%). The susceptibility profile showed that all isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin (AM) and Augmentin (AU), Staphylococcus spp. isolated from different surfaces shows different susceptibility pattern to the used antibiotics, while Bacillus spp. Klebsiella spp. and E. coli also confer resistance to more than one commonly used antibiotic. Conclusion: The results showed the occurrence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in which their presence on the equipment surfaces could easily be transmitted between users and to the environment generally. The spread of these potential pathogenic microorganisms in the fitness center can be prevented through frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer as well as daily cleaning of equipment surfaces before and after activities with disinfectants

In vivo Evaluation of Microorganisms Isolated from Peels of Selected Carbohydrate Rich Tubers

Aims: To detect the effect of microbes isolated from peels of Carbohydrate-rich tubers on Albino rats. Study Design: The study was a comparative and descriptive study. Cassava and cocoyam peels were bought from Obanla market, Federal University of Technology, Akure. Those samples were put into a sterile polythene bag and transported to microbiology laboratory for microbiological analysis. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Laboratory, Elizade University, Department of Animal Production and Health Research Laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State. The study was performed between September, 2015 and March, 2016 Methodology: Two gram of the samples was grounded in a mortar with pestle. The serial dilution method was aseptically used to reduce the microbial load present in the collected samples. Nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar were used to isolate the bacteria and fungi respectively from the samples under aseptic condition. Biochemical tests and sugar fermentation were carried out on the bacterial isolates after pure culture was obtained. Results: The isolated bacteria were Streptococcus faecalis, Corynebacterium fascians, Micrococcus luteus, Alcaligenes faecalis and Aeromonas hydrophila. Fungal isolates were identified using lactophenol cotton blue. Fungi isolated includes: Articulospora inflata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Geotrichum albidum, Torula herbarum and Halosporangium panum. All the bacteria isolates were used to infect Albino rat. The uninfected rats were used as control. The histopathological and haematological analysis carried out on liver and intestine of the albino rats showed that the microorganisms caused a pathological change that ranges from necrosis of the liver hepatocytes, hepatocellular drainage and hemorrhage to vacuolation and inflammatory cell infiltrations of the intestinal wall. Conclusion: This study has shown that cassava and cocoyam peels can act as vehicles for disseminations of pathogenic microorganisms and should therefore be properly disposed

Disaggregated Public Expenditure Patterns and Private Investment Outcomes in Nigeria

This study sought to find out the extent of relationship (if any) between the short- and long-term effects of the disaggregated component of government expenditure on private investments. Using the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, the study determined that components of both recurrent expenditure and capital expenditure are significant determinants of the relationships with private investment in the long run only. The results indicates that there is a significant crowding-in effect between components of government expenditure and private investments in Nigeria. This is consistent with the Keynesian school, particular for Nigeria’s economy which requires government to spend heavily in order to create the enabling environment for inflows of private investment while increasing aggregate demand and jobs. The study determined the optimal recurrent and capital expenditure models for the economy and also showed that lending rates inflation rates, exchange rates, and GDP growth rates, are significant determinants of private investments. Keywords: ARDL, Capital Expenditure, Private Investment, Recurrent Expenditure DOI: 10.7176/JESD/14-16-03 Publication date: October 202

Genetic diversity of antibiotic and plant extract resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospitalized patients in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of antibiotics and plants extract resistant Staphylococcus aureus using molecular technique. A total of 106 human clinical samples were collected from patients in three different hospitals within Ekiti State. Microbiological and molecular analyses were performed using standard methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility test with common antibiotics and plant leaves extracts was carried out using disk and agar well diffusion methods. Urine samples from male patients recorded a high percentage of S. aureus (57.1%) as compared to female patients (43.1%). Percentage of S. aureus recorded from the ear swab samples in male patients (58.3%) was also high as compared to the female (41.7%). From the nose swab samples, female patients recorded 60% as compared to their male counterparts (40%). Equal percentage (50%) of wound infection caused by S. aureus was observed in both male and female patients. Of the eight antibiotics used in this study, the S. aureus isolated were susceptible to ofloxacin (25 to 36 mm), gentamycin (16 to 23 mm) and erythromycin (11 to 25 mm). All the isolates confirmed resistance to ceftaxidime and cloxacillin. Nine isolates were susceptible to cefuroxime with zones of inhibition that ranged from 10 to 25 mm, while 11 were susceptible to ceftriaxone with zone of inhibition between 11 and 20 mm. Only one isolate was sensitive to augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) with zone of inhibition of 20 mm. Out of three plant extracts used in this study, aqueous leaf extract of Terminalia catappa demonstrated highest antibacterial activity on the test isolates with zone of inhibition of 16 to 36 mm followed by Mangifera indica with inhibition ranging from 11 to 32 mm, while least inhibition ranging from 11 to 20 mm was exhibited by Acalypha wikesiena. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) proved to be useful as genetic markers in determining genetic diversity among antibiotic and plant extract resistant S. aureu

Assessment of anti-corrosion potentials of extract of Ficus asperifolia -Miq (Moraceae) on mild steel in acidic medium

FullThe inhibitory potentials of ethanolic extracts and four fractions of the stem bark of Ficus asperifolia Miq. for the corrosion of mild steel were assessed using weight loss method, Fourier atomi absorption spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of varying immersion period,concentration of the inhibitors and temperatures for mild steel corrosion in 5 M HCl acid solution were carried out. A detailed kinetic reaction, thermodynamic (Ea, ∆H, ∆S) and adsorption isotherm studies were obtained. The crude extract of F. asperifolia (EFA) has the highest inhibition efficiency of 55%. The inhibitory efficiency of the four fractions of F. asperifolia (EFA) compared with the crude extract was in the order ethyl acetate > n-hexane > butanol > EFA > Aqueous. The inhibition efficiency was found to increase with increase in the extracts concentration but decreased with temperature. Corrosion rate increases with time but decreases with extracts concentration. The kinetic studies of the data followed a first order reaction. Thermodynamic studies revealed that corrosion inhibition may be due to spontaneous mixed adsorption of the plant constituents on the metal surface. Experimental data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherms. The plant investigated showed a good potential for green corrosion inhibitors. Investigation of phytochemical constituents showed that the extracts contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins anthraquinones and reducing sugars

Haematological and Pathological Effects of Bacteria from Vegetable Wastes in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State

Aims: Different selling points or markets in Ilara-Mokin town were visited after the market session and a day after to collect vegetable wastes. This research aimed to isolate bacteria and fungi from selected waste vegetables, to infect laboratory animals with the bacterial isolates and to study the effect of the isolated bacteria on the laboratory animals. Methodology: Three major vegetable wastes were commonly found in the markets and they are Amaranthus cruentus (Arowojeja), Senecio biafrae (Worowo) and Spinacia oleracea (Amunututu). Sufficient quantity of these decaying wastes were collected and sterile crucible was used to grind the waste samples. On each sample, serial dilution was done using 2g. Nutrient Agar and potato dextrose agar were used for isolation of bacteria and fungi respectively. Standard Microbiological methods were used for the identification of the microorganisms. Results: Five bacteria were isolated from the waste, which are: Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. Also six fungi were isolated from the waste vegetable. They are: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Geotrichum spp. and Articularia quercina. All of the bacteria were sensitive to commercial antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, except Salmonella spp that showed resistance to Tetracycline, Augmentin and Ceftriaxone. The bacterial isolates were then used to infect Albino rats and haematogical analysis was performed on the animals’ blood. The result showed that Proteus, and Pseudomonas reduced the PCV from 45.55±1.67% (in control group) to 36.75±0.55% and 37.25±0.33% respectively. The haemoglobin concentration was decreased from 15.00±0.00 (in control group) to 12.33±0.67 in the group infected with Pseudomonas. The white blood cell count was highest on the group infected with Salmonella with a count of 12.2±0.96×105 mm-3 . Histopathological Analysis of the liver and intestine of the rats showed that the pathogenic microorganisms cause negative pathological effects such as the absence of sinusoid in the liver hepatocytes, hepatocellular drainage and necrosis, while only necrosis and haemorrhage were prominent in their intestine. Conclusion: The result obtained has shown that pathogenic microorganisms from these vegetable wastes can cause serious health problem for the public if not disposed adequately, especially when these vegetable vendors place freshly harvested ones on the same ground the next market day; and when such is bought and not properly washed or cooked

Knowledge and Attitude of Pregnant Women towards Management of Pregnancy-induced Hypertension in Southwest Nigeria

The study explores the knowledge and attitude of pregnant women towards the management of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). It was a descriptive study, sampling technique was purposive and data was collected using a self-administered structure questionnaire. A sample of two hundred pregnant women was selected and data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Almost half of the participants were between the ages of 21 to 30 years (49.0%), with highest level of education as tertiary (58.0%) and 26.5% are currently pregnant for an average of 21 to 29 weeks. Knowledge and attitudes assessment indicated a high proportion of awareness (82.0%), hospital’s education (65.5%), and the majority (58.0%) believed that anybody can have pregnancy induced hypertension and (75.5%) relate the possible causes to eating too much salt, stress (57.5%) and over weight (49.5%). Most of the participants prefer to visit hospitals/clinics whenever they have headache (63.5%), abdominal pain (72.5%), swollen face and leg (65.5%), reduced foetal movement (77.5%), high blood pressure (65.0%), nausea and vomiting (60.0%) and blurred vision (62.5%). The study recommended that consideration be given to richer advocacy beyond creating awareness on PIH but also advocacy for women and girl children to acquire formal education so as to better appreciate modern medical services in Nigeria. Higher formal education and the urban place of residence of the participants’ accounts for increased application of knowledge on pregnancy induced hypertension; this makes them visit the clinics in the event of any observed issue in relation to their health as pregnant women

Challenges of soil- transmitted Helminthiasis in some communities in Ondo state, Nigeria

Soil- transmitted helminthiasis is a common public health challenge of developing countries. It has largely contributed in undermining the health status of people and hence jeopardized the economic development of countries concerned. This study aimed at investigating the burden of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in some selected rural communities in Ondo State Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of human soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Stool samples were collected and processed using stool concentration - formalin-ether sedimentation method. Out of the 928 samples collected from volunteers, 149 (16.05%) were infected. The following parasites were isolated: Ascaris lumbricoides, 103(53.7%) 64(33.3%), Trichuris trichiura 17(8.9%) and Strongyloides stercoralis 8(4.17%). Among the risk factors, toilet and water resource facilities were the major sources of transmission. The result obtained justifies the current state of the poor hygiene level in relation to the high occurrence rate of Soil-transmitted helminths among people living in rural settings

Antimicrobial properties, safety, and probiotic attributes of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Sauerkraut

Background: According to the World Health Organization, probiotics have been defined as live microorganisms that when administered in the right amount provide health benefits to the host. This study aims to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from Sauerkraut and determine their anti-pathogenic potential and suitability as probiotics. Methodology: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from fermented cabbage obtained from an open market in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria by inoculating the prepared cabbage suspension on triplet plates of Rogosa agar (Lactobacillus selecting agar) and incubating in an anaerobic jar with gaspaks at 37°C for 72 hours. The LAB isolates were presumptively identified phenotypically by colony morphology, Gram stain reaction, and catalase test. The antibacterial activity of the LAB isolates was then carried out using agar overlay and agar-well diffusion methods. The most efficient LAB isolate was selected based on its strong antibacterial activity, confirmed by 16S rRNA sequencing and further evaluated for probiotic activities including bile salt resistance, survival in low pH, hydrophobicity of the cell surface, auto-aggregation, and co-aggregation. The putative probiotic LAB isolate was also evaluated for its safety using in vitro tests (antibiotic susceptibility testing, haemolysis, and DNase tests) and in vivo assays (sub-acute oral toxicity tests in male albino rats). Results: A total of 5 LAB isolates were preliminarily identified from the cabbage. The LAB isolate that showed strong antibacterial activity was confirmed as Levilactobacillus brevis. The isolate showed 83.3% survival rate in low pH of 3 and 85.9% in 0.3% bile concentration indicating potential tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions. The cell surface hydrophobicity assay showed 51% and auto-aggregation of 60% which represents the adhesion properties of the isolate. The sub-acute oral toxicity evaluation of the putative probiotic strain in Wister albino rats showed no altered health condition. Conclusion: The findings in this study suggest that Levilactobacillus brevis isolated from Sauerkraut is suitable as probiotics and could be applied in the pharmaceutical and food industry

Collaboration and infrastructure is needed to develop an African perspective on micro(nano)plastic pollution

Abstract: Our current understanding of environmental micro(nano)plastic (MNP) pollution is driven by field and lab-based studies performed predominantly by and in wealthier countries. However, mismanaged waste and its consequences affect low- and middle-income countries over-proportionately. Evidence suggests that studies on MNP pollution in Africa are critically limited by the scientific infrastructure available, restricting research activities to opportunities for external collaboration with established research laboratories in the Global North. The development of Pan-African research networks and analytical nodes, is required to support intra-African research exchange and training, and drive evidence-based policy relevant to an African context. This can facilitate more inclusive conversations around the harmonization and standardization of methods currently mainly available to the Global North