Production dynamics of extracellular protease from Bacillus species

Screening and isolation of proteolytic bacteria were carried out from soil samples of Ikogosi warm spring (SW, Nigeria). Eighteen isolates were positive on skim milk agar (10%) of which fifteen produced protease in culture broth. Three isolates, identified as Bacillus macerans IKBM-11, B. licheniformis IKBL-17 and B. subtilis IKBS-10, were selected for further study. These Bacillus species could grow up to 65&#176C within a broad pH range of 5 to 10 with an optimal growth temperature and pH at 60&#176C and 8.0, respectively. For the three Bacillus species, protease production occurred between 37&#176C and 65&#176C and pH 5 to 10. Maximum growth and maximum enzyme production was observed at 48 h when grown in 50 ml medium (pH 8.0) under shaking condition at 60&#176C. The results showed that Bacillus species under study are good producers of extracellular protease at high temperature. This might be an indication that proteases produced would be thermostable. Keywords Protease; proteolytic bacteria; Bacillus macerans; Bacillus licheniformis; Bacillus subtilisAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (8), pp. 776-77

Monitoring drought and effects on vegetation in Sokoto state, Nigeria using statistical and geospatial techniques

This paper aimed at assessing drought occurrences and its effects on vegetation cover in Sokoto State, Nigeria using geospatial and statistical techniques. Monthly precipitation data which span through a period of 40 years (1980-2010) and 30 years (1982-2011) respectively were used for generating Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) graphs and maps. LandSat   imageries of bands 3 and 4 acquired by Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) Sensor were used for generating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). SPI and NDVI were generated for the study area based on inter-annual and decadal timescale. Findings showed that SPI values varied from extremely dry condition to extreme wet condition although near normal condition ranked highest while extremely wet condition ranked least.  It also revealed that most of the Local Government Areas experienced near normal conditions but  Isa, Sabon Birni and little part of the boundary between Goronyo and Wurno experienced moderately wet conditions between 1982 and 1991. It was further observed that the whole region was dominated with near normal condition except Sabon Birni and Isa LGAs that experienced extremely, severely and moderately wet condition between 1992 and 2001. In contrast, the SPI values for over 90% of the state  between 2002 and 2011 fall within the severely dry conditions. Findings further showed that change scenarios observed from the derived NDVI and SPI maps indicated that the climatic variability currently being experienced is likely to increase and intensify in future. It is obvious that urgent attention on drought management over this region is needed.Keywords: Drought, SPI, NDVI, Vegetation Cover, Landsat Imageries, Northern Nigeri

Studies on stored cereal degradation by Alternaria tenuissima

Se estudió la habilidad de una cepa de Alternaria tenuissima Kunze (IMI 301005) Wiltshire de degradar y alterar el perfil de nutrientes de tres cereales nigerianos comunes. Los granos seleccionados fueron Pennisetum glaucum, Sorghum vulgare y Oryza sativa. Las grasas, fibras y proteínas disminuyeron en los sustratos inoculados, hecho acompañado de un incremento en el contenido de ceniza. Los niveles más altos de degradación de cereal por el hongo (moho) se obtuvieron en cultivos con pH de 6.8 en un intervalo de temperatura de 30-35 oC. A partir de las 48 horas de incubación se detectaron proteasas extracelulares en todos los medios de cultivo.The ability of a strain of Alternaria tenuissima Kunze (IMI 301005) Wiltshire to degrade and alter the nutrient profile of three common Nigerian cereals was studied. The grains involved were Pennisetum glaucum, Sorghum vulgare and Oryza sativa. Fat, fibre and protein decreased in the inoculated substrates, and this was accompanied by an increase in ash content. The highest levels of cereal degradation by the mould were attained at pH 6.8 and at temperature range of 30-35 oC. Within 48 hours of incubation, extracellular proteases were detected in all the culture media

Studies on stored cereal degradation by Alternaria tenuissima

Se estudió la habilidad de una cepa de Alternaria tenuissima Kunze (IMI 301005) Wiltshire de degradar y alterar el perfil de nutrientes de tres cereales nigerianos comunes. Los granos seleccionados fueron Pennisetum glaucum, Sorghum vulgare y Oryza sativa. Las grasas, fibras y proteínas disminuyeron en los sustratos inoculados, hecho acompañado de un incremento en el contenido de ceniza. Los niveles más altos de degradación de cereal por el hongo (moho) se obtuvieron en cultivos con pH de 6.8 en un intervalo de temperatura de 30-35 oC. A partir de las 48 horas de incubación se detectaron proteasas extracelulares en todos los medios de cultivo.The ability of a strain of Alternaria tenuissima Kunze (IMI 301005) Wiltshire to degrade and alter the nutrient profile of three common Nigerian cereals was studied. The grains involved were Pennisetum glaucum, Sorghum vulgare and Oryza sativa. Fat, fibre and protein decreased in the inoculated substrates, and this was accompanied by an increase in ash content. The highest levels of cereal degradation by the mould were attained at pH 6.8 and at temperature range of 30-35 oC. Within 48 hours of incubation, extracellular proteases were detected in all the culture media

Impact of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum on haematological parameters of pregnant women at first antenatal visit in South-western Nigeria

Background: Pregnant women in malaria-endemic areas are at high risk of Plasmodium falciparum infection and its complications. This study investigated the impact of asymptomatic P. falciparum on haematological parameters of pregnant women at first antenatal visit in south-western Nigeria.Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional evaluation of 130 asymptomatic pregnant women was conducted. Plasmodium infection was diagnosed using Giemsa-stained blood smear microscopy and rapid diagnostic test, while haemoglobin levels (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined using semi-automated haematology analyser.Results: Multigravid pregnant women presented more during their second trimester. Overall malaria prevalence in the sampled population was 14.6%. Prevalence of malaria parasitaemia was highest (68.4%) in the second trimester. P. falciparum infected pregnant women had significantly lower mean values of packed cell volume (PCV), haematocrit (Hb), and total white blood cell (WBC) compared to non-infected  individuals  (t = -4.07, p= 0.001; t = 3.30, p = <0.001; t = -2.77, p <0.001).Conclusion: There is asymptomatic P. falciparum infection in the study area and this may form a reservoir for transmission. Pregnant women infected with malaria parasites exhibited important changes in haematocrit level, haemoglobin concentration, and total white blood cells. Use of anti-malaria therapy and insecticide-treated bed net would result in greater haematological benefits

Influence of First-Line Antibiotics on the Antibacterial Activities of Acetone Stem Bark Extract of Acacia mearnsii

Background. This study was aimed at evaluating the antibacterial activity of the acetone extract of A. mearnsii and its interactions with antibiotics against some resistant bacterial strains. Methods. The antibacterial susceptibility testing was determined by agar diffusion and macrobroth dilution methods while the checkerboard method was used for the determination of synergy between the antibiotics and the extract. Results. The results showed that the susceptibility of the different bacterial isolates was concentration dependent for the extract and the different antibiotics. With the exception of S. marcescens, the inhibition zones of the extract produced by 20 mg/mL ranged between 18 and 32 mm. While metronidazole did not inhibit any of the bacterial isolates, all the antibiotics and their combinations, except for ciprofloxacin and its combination, did not inhibit Enterococcus faecalis. The antibacterial combinations were more of being antagonistic than of being synergistic in the agar diffusion assay. From the macrobroth dilution, the extract and the antibiotics exerted a varied degree of inhibitory effect on the test organisms. The MIC values of the acetone extract which are in mg/mL are lower than those of the different antibiotics which are in μg/mL. From the checkerboard assay, the antibacterial combinations showed varied degrees of interactions including synergism, additive, indifference, and antagonism interactions. While antagonistic and additive interactions were 14.44%, indifference interaction was 22.22% and synergistic interaction was 37.78% of the antibacterial combinations against the test isolates. While the additivity/indifference interactions indicated no interactions, the antagonistic interaction may be considered as a negative interaction that could result in toxicity and suboptimal bioactivity. Conclusion. The synergistic effects of the herbal-drug combinations may be harnessed for the discovery and development of more rational evidence-based drug combinations with optimized efficiency in the prevention of multidrug resistance and therapy of multifactorial diseases

Pharmacological Assessment of the Medicinal Potential of Acacia mearnsii De Wild.: Antimicrobial and Toxicity Activities

Acacia mearnsii De Wild. (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of microbial infections in South Africa without scientific validation of its bioactivity and toxicity. The antimicrobial activity of the crude acetone extract was evaluated by both agar diffusion and macrobroth dilution methods while its cytotoxicity effect was assessed with brine shrimp lethality assay. The study showed that both bacterial and fungal isolates were highly inhibited by the crude extract. The MIC values for the gram-positive bacteria (78.1–312.5) μg/mL, gram-negative bacteria (39.1–625) μg/mL and fungal isolates (625–5000) μg/mL differ significantly. The bacteria were more susceptible than the fungal strains tested. The antibiosis determination showed that the extract was more (75%) bactericidal than bacteriostatic (25%) and more fungicidal (66.67%) than fungistatic (33.33%). The cytotoxic activity of the extract was observed between 31.25 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL and the LC50 value (112.36 μg/mL) indicates that the extract was nontoxic in the brine shrimp lethality assay (LC50 > 100 μg/mL). These results support the use of A. mearnsii in traditional medicine for treatment of microbial infections. The extract exhibiting significant broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and nontoxic effects has potential to yield active antimicrobial compounds

Testing the Effects of Two Field-to-Fork Programs on the Nutritional Outcomes of Elementary School Students from Diverse and Lower-income Communities

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effects of two farm-to-school programs, specifically the Field-to-Fork Multi-visit Program (N  =  264) and the Field-to-Fork After-school Club (N  =  56), on nutritional outcomes of elementary school students (third to fifth grade) from urban, diverse, and lower-income communities. Data were collected via self-report surveys measuring: (a) knowledge of recommendations for daily fruit and vegetable intake; (b) fruit and vegetable consumption; (c) knowledge of cooking a healthy recipe using vegetables; and (d) desire for farm fresh foods at school. Statistical analyses included McNemar’s and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. The proportion of students knowing how to cook a vegetable rich recipe increased with both programs (Multi-visit Program p \u3c .001; After-school Club p  =  .002). Vegetable consumption increased with the After-school Club (p  =  .002). Farm-to-school programming can increase knowledge of cooking vegetable rich recipes and vegetable intake among elementary school students from diverse, urban, and lower-income communities

BIOSYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM SEAWEED Caulerpa taxifolia AGAINST VECTOR BORNE DISEASE Culex quinquefasciatus

Globally, mosquitoes are transmitting agents for diseases like dengue, malaria, filaria and Japanese encephalitis. In this study, the larvicidal activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia extract against the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus was investigated in vitro. The synthesized AgNPs was further characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, XRD, DLS and Zeta potential analysis. From the result, the LC50 value for AgNPs identified was 448.66. The synthesized silver nanoparticles have maximum absorption at 430 nm. The FTIR indicated a specific peak in 3275.11cm-1, 2921.7cm-1 and 1244.28cm-1 range. Scanning electron microscopy resulted in spherical shaped approximately ranging from 1 µm to20 µm in size. The average size distributions of Ag nanoparticles were 72.99 nm and are fairly stable with a zeta potential value of -31.1 mV. The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles with Caulerpa taxifolia extract provides potential source for the larvicidal activity against mosquito. The present study revealed that green synthesized silver nanoparticles can be used as an eco-friendly means for effective control of vector disease

Self-medication with antibiotics for the treatment of menstrual symptoms in southwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Background: Self-medication with antibiotics is an important factor contributing to the development of bacterial antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics for the treatment of menstrual symptoms among university women in Southwest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to female undergraduate and graduate students (n = 706) at four universities in Southwest Nigeria in 2008. The universities were selected by convenience and the study samples within each university were randomly selected cluster samples. The survey was self-administered and included questions pertaining to menstrual symptoms, analgesic and antibiotic use patterns, and demographics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: The response rate was 95.4%. Eighty-six percent (95% CI: 83-88%) of participants experienced menstrual symptoms, and 39% (95% CI: 36-43%) reported using analgesics to treat them. Overall, 24% (95% CI: 21-27%) of participants reported self-medicated use of antibiotics to treat the following menstrual symptoms: cramps, bloating, heavy bleeding, headaches, pimples/acne, moodiness, tender breasts, backache, joint and muscle pain. Factors associated with this usage were: lower levels of education (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-7.1, p-value: 0.03); nonscience major (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.03-2.50, p-value: 0.04); usage of analgesics (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.07-4.86, p-value: <0.001); and mild to extreme heavy bleeding (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01-2.67, p-value: 0.05) and pimples/acne (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 0.98-2.54, p-value: 0.06). Ampicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole were used to treat the most symptoms. Doctors or nurses (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%), friends (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%) and family members (7%, 95% CI: 5-8%) were most likely to recommend the use of antibiotics for menstrual symptoms, while these drugs were most often obtained from local chemists or pharmacists (10.2%, 95% CI: 8-12%). Conclusions: This is the first formal study to report that approximately 1 out of 4 university women surveyed in Southwest Nigeria self-medicate with antibiotics to treat menstrual symptoms. This practice could provide monthly, low-dose exposures to antibiotics among users. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impacts of selfmedication on student health