Biochemical evaluation of aestivation and starvation in two snail species

There is resurgence in incidence of schistosomiasis in Nigeria with attendant socio-economic and health impact. The agents transmitting this disease are the Bulinus snails which employ aestivation to survive conditions of unfavourable weather such as lack of food and water. The mechanism of aestivation under aridity and drought is not clear. This study therefore investigated the effects of aestivation and starvation on endogenous metabolic reserves in haemolymph of two snail species namely: Bulinus globosus (Morelet) and Bulinus rohlfsi (Clessin). Aestivation, starvation and control experiments were set up for 30  days in the laboratory by placing three groups of snails collected from Oyan dam, Abeokuta in  standard aestivation slope (30 B. globosus and 19 B. rohlfsi), aquarium (30 B. globosus and 23 B. rohlfsi) and control slope which had 20 B. globosus and 15 B. rohlfsi. Aestivation and control slopes contained water and mixture of sand and clay (3:1), while aquarium contained water only for starvation. All the snails were fed on lettuce ad libitum for 28 days during which water was completely drained out in the aestivation slope. The aestivation slope and aquarium were left for another 30 days without lettuce.  Snails were thereafter sacrificed and haemolymph biochemical parameters were assayed. In aestivating and starving B. globosus, haemolymph creatinine, urea, total protein, glucose, alanine transferases (ALT) and aspartate transferases (AST) were significantly decreased, while haemolymph total  cholesterol, triglyceride and a-amylase concentrations and activity increased significantly (p < 0.05). In B. rohlfsi, creatinine, urea, ALT and AST were significantly decreased when compared with controls (p < 0.05). B. globosus and B. rohlfsi possess ability to survive unfavourable conditions by economical utilization of stored metabolites, thus enabling them to carry infection from one season to the next. Our findings suggest that B. globosus is a better aestivator than B. rohlfsi.Key words: Aestivation, enzymes, Bulinus globosus, Bulinus rohlfsi, schistosomiasis

Studies on the occurrence and distribution of heavy metals in sediments in Lagos Lagoon and their effects on benthic microbial population

An investigation was conducted to assess the concentration of heavy metals in sediments in three selected locations along Lagos lagoon comprising University of Lagos, Ebute Metta and Ijora zones and correlate the effect of metal concentrations on benthic microbial population vis a vis the open water bacterial population. Physiochemical analysis revealed a pH of 8.94, 11.98 and 7.82 of University of Lagos, Ebute Metta and Ijora zones respectively. The concentration of lead was more in Ebute Metta zone (Oko Oba) with a value of 22.75 mg/100 g, while the concentration of iron was more in Ijora zone with a value of 45.31 mg/100 g. The concentration of Cadmium was higher than other zones in Ebute Metta with a value of 14.63 mg/100 g. Mercury was more concentrated in University of Lagos zone with a value of 7.83 mg/100 g, while the value for chromium was more in Ebute Metta sediments with a value of 6.81 mg/100 g. Levene’s statistical analysis shows there is no significant difference in the variances for all metals across the three locations understudy. However, ANOVA analysis shows that mean measurements for all metals across the three locations are significantly different at 5% level of significance except for mercury where the mean measurements were not significantly different at 5% level of confidence. The benthic population (bacteria) was less than that of surface water (control).University of Lagos had the highest bacterial mean cfu/ml determined by log10 with a value 6.81 for control and 3.51 for sediments. The cfu value for fungi for control samples for University of Lagos zone, Ebute Metta and Ijora were 1.7, 1.54 and 1.6 respectively. The bacteria isolated and identified were Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Arthrobacter sp and Achromobacter sp. Fungi isolated were Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilissima and Sporobolomyces sp. The values for heavy metals for all zones are of public health significance and pose a threat to the survival of both humans and aquatic life. An immediate attention from concerned authorities is required in order to protect the Lagos lagoon and its dependants from further pollution and diseases

Effect of industrial effluents on the growth and anatomical structures of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra)

The authors investigated the impact of industrial effluents from 5 different industrial concerns in Lagos, Nigeria on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). During the study, it was observed that these effluentsinduced detrimental effects on the flowering, fruiting, stem length, leaf width and leaf length of okra. Other parameters analysed were pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chemical oxygendemand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and oil level. Results obtained show that the main drain (MD) had the highest electrical conductivity (1961 ìs, pH 10.43), as well as total dissolved solids(TDS, 977 mg/l). Effluent from toiletries had the highest concentration of oil (0.121) and the lowest pH (2.75). All effluents affected the time of flowering and fruiting of okra when compared with the control.The mean number and mean weight of fruits produced were also affected, although the extent varies from effluent to effluent. The effect was more pronounced in toiletries and plastic effluents where themean values for fruit numbers was 3 and mean weight of 17.4 g. However, the mean weight for paint was higher than toiletries. Cross-sections of the experimental okra plants showed that the effluentaffected the anatomical structures of the plant; the effect being more pronounced on okra grown on MD. The anatomy of the control grown okra was not affected. The leaves of okra grown on toiletrieseffluent had a less mean leaf length than those grown on the rest effluents. The same trend was recorded for the mean leaf width. The stem length of okra grown on paint effluent had the least meanvalue and hence most affected. The highest value for all parameters studied was recorded for the control. There was a significant difference between the means of length of leaf, stem and leaf width andthose of the control, signifying the effects which industrial effluents could have on the growth and productivity of plants

Epidemiological studies of the incidence of pathogenic Campylobacter spp. amongst animals in Lagos metropolis

Faecal specimens were collected from different animal species (puppies, Guinea fowl, chicken and pigs) at different farm locations in Lagos (Inner City - Central urban area; peripheral City – rural/farminghouses; Rural - a farming and agricultural zone, where people raised their own domestic animals). In all, 200 animals were sampled out of which twenty (14%) were positive for Campylobacter, seventeen (17)of these (60.7) were positive for animals from peripheral zone, nine (9)(32.1%) were found positive for animals from the rural zone and two (2)(7.1%) were positive for animals obtained from the inner zone ofLagos metropolis. The trend of infection by Campylobacter as exemplified in this study was pig, two samples (7.1%); chicken, 7 samples (25%); sheep, two samples (7.1%); puppies, 0 (0.0%), and guinea fowl, 17 samples (60.7). The peripheral zone had more incidence of Campylobacter with an incidence rate in the order peripheral zone (8.5%» rural zone (4.5%) > inner zone (1.0%). The results ofbiochemical tests reveal that three (3) samples were positive for Campylobacter coli biotype II, seventeen (17) samples were positive for Campylobacter coli biotype I and one (1) sample for Campylobacter jejuni biotype I. These results are indicative that the epidemic of Campylobacter infection is possible amongst handlers of these farm animals

Identification of subdominant lactic acid bacteria in dawadawa (a soup condiment) and their evolution during laboratory-scale fermentation of Parkia biglobosa (African locust beans)

The successive colonization of fermenting African locust beans (Parkia biglobosa) by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was investigated for seven days. The LAB isolated were Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactobacillus raffinolactus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Leuconostoc sp, Pediococcus halophilus,Pediococcus sp, Lactobacillus sp, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus brevis. The first dominant species were P. pentosaceus, which was more in abundance, L. raffinolactus, L. mesenteroides and another Leuconostoc sp. At the end of fermentation, a stable community comprising of P. halophilus, P. pentasaceus and L. brevis was formed. The dominant genera in this study were Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. The proximate analysis of the fermenting andfermented mash showed an increase in moisture content from 55.1 to 65.2%, pH from 6.25 to a stable alkaline value of 8.4. The reducing sugar however, decreased from 0.96 to 0.58 mg. The amino acid content increased from an initial value of 8.13 to 35.55 mg for the laboratory-scale product, whereas the value of the control was 13.4 mg. The total viable count increased from an initial value of log102.6 to log105.8 and then fell to a final value of log104.1. The enterococci count increased initially but eventually fell to zero. The total yeast count increased initially from log105.3 to log106.6 and thereafter fell to zero. The market sample had a value of log101.5. No coliforms were found in the course of fermentation as well as in the final product of the laboratory-scale experiment and the market sample

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF LEAF, STEM-BARK AND ROOT OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM)

Objective:  Plant chemicals abound in different parts of plants, in different compositions. Thus, the comparative screening of the leaf, stem-bark and root of Azadirachta indica becomes imperative. The presence of nine phytochemicals which include; alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, phenols, steroids, tannins, reducing sugars and anthraquinones, and the quantity of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and glycoside in the leaf, stem-bark and root of Azadirachta indica were investigated. Methods: The plant parts were collected from a plantation grown in Okpotegu Echara, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Plant samples were air dried at room temperature, ground into uniform powder, sieved, bottled and labeled, ready for physico – chemical analysis. Results of the investigation revealed that anthraquinones were beyond detection limits in all the plant parts tested in both ethanol and aqueous extracts. Results:  Alkaloids were not detectable in leaf, stem-bark and root samples of aqueous extract. Glycosides were not detectable in leaf sample of ethanol and aqueous extracts. Quantitatively, the phytochemical compositions of each part showed higher concentrations of Alkaloids in the leaf, stem-bark and root (11.63%, 4.93% and 3.79%), compared to flavonoids (2.19%, 2.72% and 0.92%), saponins (0.70%, 1.12% and 0.44%), tannins (0.33 mg/100, 0.50mg/100 and 0.17mg/100) and glycosides (0.23%, 0.27% and 0.19%), respectively. Conclusion: Obviously, except for the higher percentage (11.63%) of alkaloids in the leaf, the phytochemicals in the stem-bark are higher as shown by the results, which could support the reason that the bark is preferably chewed commonly together with the stem as chew stick for its germicidal and antifungal action.                            Peer Review History: Received 24 October 2018;   Revised 29 October; Accepted 6 November, Available online 15 November 2018 Academic Editor: Dr. Marwa A. A. Fayed, University of Sadat City, Egypt, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:        Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia, [email protected]  Dr. Gehan Fawzy Abdel Raoof Kandeel, Pharmacognosy Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, 12622,  Giza, Egypt, [email protected]  Similar Articles: HEATING EFFECT ON PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PROXIMATE CONTENTS OF COOKED AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS (KIDNEY BEANS) PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT AND THROMBOLYTIC PROPERTIES OF LEAVE EXTRACTS OF GARDENIA CORONARIA BUCH-HA

Proximate Composition of Whole, Dehulled And Fermented Beniseed (Sesame indicum) With Associated Bacterial Species

Proximate composition and microbiological properties of whole and fermenting beniseed were evaluated. The proximate composition ofwhole sesame seed (WSES) was as follows: 4.55% moisture, 3.51% ash, 20.42% crude protein, 37.07% fat, 6.48% crude fibre and 34.45% carbohydrate; that of the dehulled seed was: 30.88% moisture, 1.66% ash, 17.13% crude protein, 4.47% crude fibre, 6.51% fat, 33.82% carbohydrate; the proximate composition ofdehulled fermented sesame seed (DFSES) was: 45.09% moisture, 1.63% ash, 13.19% crude protein, 1.8% crude fibre, 15.68% fat and24.41% carbohydrate. Bacteria isolated from the fermented dehulled seeds were Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilis and Lactobacillus sp.Coliforms earlier noticed during the initial stage of fermentation were eliminated completely on the third day of fermentation. The product issafe for use as condiments for soup. Fermentation of sesame seed is therefore recommended for use in soup as condiment as it tends to improve the quality of the resulting product based on its nutritional contents

Engineering of the LukS-PV and LukF-PV subunits of Staphylococcus aureus Panton-Valentine leukocidin for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

Abstract Background: Staphylococcus aureus produces several toxins, including Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). The involvement of PVL in primary skin infections, necrotizing pneumonia, musculoskeletal disorders, brain abscess, and other diseases, some of which are life-threatening, has been reported. Following expert opinion, we aimed to provide the tools for establishment of sequence-based diagnostics and therapeutics for those conditions. We engineered the synergistic S and F (LukS-PV and LukF-PV respectively) pro-toxin subunits from Staphylococcus aureus USA400 into separate expression E. coli BL21(DE3)-pLysS hosts. Results: Following Nickel affinity chromatography (NAC), the F subunit came out without bands of impurity. The S sub-unit did not come off very pure after NAC thus necessitating further purification by size exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography. The purification plots showed that the BioLogic-LP and AKTA systems are reliable for following the progress of the chromatographic purification in real-time. Computer predicted Mw for the 6His-LukF-PV and 6His-LukS-PV were 35645.41 Da and 33530.04 Da respectively, while the mass spectrometry results were 35643.57 Da and 33528.34 Da respectively. Conclusion: The BioLogic-LP and AKTA systems are commendable for reliability and user-friendliness. As a recent work elsewhere also reported that a second round of chromatography was necessary to purify the S subunit after the first attempt, we speculate that the S subunit might contain yet unidentified motif(s) requiring further treatment. The purified S and F sub-units of PVL were supplied to the Nottingham Cancer Immunotherapy group who used them to establish sequence-based monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic and therapeutic uses targeting PVL