Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes of sulphadoxine mixed with pyramethamine: Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial and toxicology study

Two new mixed ligands metal complexes of sulphadoxine and pyramethamine were prepared by using CuCl2.6H2O and FeCl3.6H2O. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, melting point determination, molar conductivity, metal content analysis (AAS), IR, magnetic susceptibility measurements and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Based on the analytical and spectroscopic data, the complexes were proposed to have the formulae [M1L1L2(Cl)2] and [M2L1L2(Cl)3] (where M1 = Cu(II), M2 = Fe(III)), L1 = sulphadoxine, L2 = pyramethamine). The spectroscopic data proposed L1 to be a monodentate ligand and coordinated through N atom of the NH2 group in both complexes. Also, L2 was proposed to be tridentate ligand and coordinated through N atom of the NH2 groups and through N atom of imine group. However, [M1L1L2(Cl)2] and [M2L1L2(Cl)3] were proposed to possess distorted octahedral geometry. Conductivity measurement values supported the non-electrolytic nature of the complexes. The complexes have been tested in vitro against a number of pathogenic bacteria [g(+) Escherichia coli, g(+) Proteus species, g(+) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and g(+) Salmonella typhi] by using disc diffusion method. Obtained results indicated that the metal complexes exhibited better antibacterial activities as compared to the ligands. Toxicology tests against some tissues of albino rat (Rattus novergicuss) revealed toxicity of the complexes in the kidney as compared to the parent drugs. [M1L1L2(Cl)2] was found to be toxic to the sera, livers and kidneys of the rats used, while [M2L1L2(Cl)3] was found to be non-toxic to the sera, livers and kidneys of the rats as their alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values showed non-significant difference to the control value

A Prospective Study of Wastes from Design Stage Activities on Building Construction Projects in Southwest Nigeria

This study examines the factors that contribute to the generation of wastes from design stage activities in building construction projects in the southwest region of Nigeria. A total of 261 questionnaires were randomly administered to representatives of firms in the built environment professions across the six (6) states that make up the region. The data generated were analysed using excel-solver and SPSS, and the findings were presented using tables. The study found that 86.97% of the respondents were experienced professionals with cognate experience who are employed by professionally registered consulting firms while the remaining 13.03% of the respondents were jointly employed by contracting firms, and some client agencies operating in the study area.  The result of findings further showed that 70.345% of the main issues related to waste generation from design stage of building projects were due to ambiguities and inconsistencies in drawings; inexperienced designers; lack of clear design information at conception; design and construction detail errors; design errors; unclear and incoherent specifications; poor communication between the various specialists and lack of full design team coordination. Besides this, the result also showed that the 43.862% of the residents listed inadequate coordination due to the high loadings by the following items: incomplete contract documentation; last-minute client requirement; error in contract documentation; slow response to a request for information; slow drawing revision and distribution; lack of partnering commitment and coordination among consultants; variation/change order request. This study therefore recommends that policy thrust should be aimed at encouraging built environment professionals to take actions towards reducing wastages in project at the design stages of building construction processes and activities in the study area. Keywords: Building Construction, Construction, Southwest States, Waste Management, Prospectiv

Synthesis, characterization, in-vitro anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial screening of metal(II) mixed diclofenac and acetaminophen complexes

Mixed ligand complexes derived from diclofenac potassium salt (Kdc) and acetaminophen (ace) has been synthesized and proposed to have a general formula [MB] where M = Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+and B = (ace)(dc)(H2O)2 except for Mn2+ complex which exists as [Mn(ace)(dc)OH2]. The complexes were characterized by solubility, melting point, conductivity, elemental analyses, UV-Vis, FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) study and magnetic susceptibility measurement. Electronic absorption spectra data are characteristic of octahedral structures for [MB]. The IR spectra revealed a bidentate coordination mode. In acetaminophen, the nitrogen and carbonyl-O atoms of the amide group were involved while the carboxylate oxygen atoms of potassium diclofenac were used; typical of a carboxylic acid derivative. The compounds were screened for in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of albumin denaturation assay and antimicrobial activity against bacteria strains: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus anthrax, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and a fungus Aspergillus niger. Some of the tested compounds showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity when compared to the standard drug diclofenac potassium salt. The in-vitro antimicrobial screening revealed an increased activity of the complexes against the bacteria isolates compared to the free ligands.                     KEY WORDS: Metal(II) ion, NSAIDs, Anti-inflammatory activity, Diclofenac potassium salt, XRPD, Antimicrobial activity   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(1), 77-86. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i1.

Comparison of Solid and Solvent - Based Syntheses, Characterization and Antioxidant Property of Metal Complexes of Sodium Diclofenac

Mechanosynthesis and solvent – based syntheses of transition metals (Ni, Co and Zn) complexes of Sodium diclofenac has been carried out by 1:1 molar ratio of the ligand to metal salts respectively. The synthesis of the metal complexes were confirmed by melting point determination, FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infra-red) and UV-visible spectroscopies. The ligand showed bidentate coordination to the metal ions through carboxylate moiety. Octahedral geometry was proposed for all the metal complexes. The antioxidant property of metal complexes was determined using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay with Ascorbic acid as control. The antioxidant evaluation results revealed that the synthesized metal complexes are promising antioxidant agents. Keywords: Mechanosynthesis; DPPH; Carboxylate moiety; antioxidant evaluatio

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activities of Some Nicotinamide – metal Complexes

Some transition metal complexes of nicotinamide have been prepared and characterized using melting point, conductivity measurement, infrared, electronic, HNMR and atomic absorption spectroscopic methods. . The antibacterial and antifungal studies of the metal complexes and the ligand have been evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus and Bacillus subtilis , Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and penicillum species. It was found that nicotinamide formed stable metal complexes with these metal ions. The analysis of the spectroscopic data shows that nicotinamide act as monodentate, coordinating through the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring. All the complexes exhibit 4- coordinate geometry. The results of the antimicrobial studies showed that the metal complexes have higher inhibitory activity than the original nicotinamide against the tested bacteria and fungi species.Keywords: Synthesis, Metal complexes, Nicotinamide, Antibacterial, Antifunga

Assessment of Architecture Students’ Knowledge of Passive Design Strategies in Academic Buildings in a Typical Nigerian Private University

Abstract. Buildings use more than 40% of the energy consumed worldwide. This has prompted the development of numerous strategies to guarantee that buildings can still function maximally with reduced energy use. The concept of passive design strategies has been widely employed in architectural professional practice to ensure the reduction of building energy usage is kept to a minimum and enhance building performance. In architectural design training, however, despite the study of building climatology, several students are still seen designing buildings in tropical climates with little adoption of passive design strategies. To this end, this study aims at assessing the knowledge level of graduate architecture students at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State of passive design strategies in academic buildings. The case study research approach was used, and respondents were chosen through random sampling. A total of 84 students were given structured questions to answer in order to collect primary data. Data were analysed using frequencies and percentages in SPSS, and the results were presented using tables. Respondents’ level of awareness and importance of the various concepts associated with passive design in academic buildings were considered. The study revealed that respondents have good knowledge about passive design strategies. Building materials, day lighting, and natural ventilation were identified as the most crucial among the passive design strategies used for academic buildings in achieving users' comfort and reducing energy conservation. Also, building mass was observed to be considered the least important among the passive design strategies. Keywords: Academic building, Architecture students, Design strategies, Passive design, Thermal comfort

Visual Quality Assessment of Covenant University Senate Building Façade

Visual quality assessment plays a major role in determining the visual sustainability of the physical environment. Visual sustainability underscores the visual relationship between people and their environment. Several studies have been carried out on the subject of visual quality in architecture from other parts of the world. However, not much is seen on record in the Nigerian context. There are also concerns that there is a decline in the visual quality of university buildings. In the light of foregoing, it is essential to understand in detail the visual quality of university buildings not only from the perspective of built environment practitioners but also from the general public as potential users of the buildings. In this respect, the senate buildings of selected universities in Southwest Nigeria were selected for the study given the central role such buildings play in university administration and interaction with a variety of users. However, the senate building of Covenant University Ota is the focus of this paper. The study was aimed at identifying the architectural elements on the Covenant University Senate Building facade to understand public perception for future applications in architectural education, design, and overall visual sustainability. A cross-sectional survey was adopted for the study, and a stratified random sampling technique used in selecting respondents. In Total, 577 valid responses were collected from respondents in ten selected universities in Southwest Nigeria and analysed descriptively using frequencies, percentages, and mean score on the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Photograph of the Covenant University senate building façade was attached to the questionnaire to aid the visual assessment. Qualitative research involving the use of an interview guide preceded the survey research. The result from the study revealed that façade shape and height were perceived as the most interesting in the Covenant University senate building façade attractiveness. The study implied the need for equipping of designers on the perception of building design elements for adequate facade conceptualisation in designing. This, in essence, will enhance the attractiveness of the university senate building façade and also impact the entire campus visual sustainability