Stoichiometry of pyrogallol/ammonium-nitrogen complex using spectrophotometry

Pyrogallol (1,2,3-Trihydroxybenzene) forms instantaneous pale-yellow complex with aqueous ammoniumnitrogen (NH4+-N). This complex, which we now refer to as P/NH4 +-N complex, can be the basis for the spectrophotometric determination of NH4 +-N in aqueous solution. Aqueous NH4 +-N is a very important pollution index. Therefore it is imperative that the stoichiometry of this complex be thoroughly understood. In this work, Job’s method of continuous variations and the molar-ratio method were used in a corroborative manner to study and establish the P/NH4 +-N complex as P(NH4)2, where P stands for pyrogllol

Thermodynamic assessment of anionic ligands - modified palm kernel febre in the sorption of some toxic metals

Coconut husk and palm kernel fibre are separately pulverized to obtain 250#m particle size and then blended in a 1:1 ratio to obtain the Blended Palm Kernel Fibre (BPKF). The BPKF was thiolated and then employed asadsorbent in adsorption studies of Co2+, Cd2+ and Ni2+ ions. The effects of pH and anionic ligands (EDTA, Cl- and enthylenediamine) on the sorption process are also investigated. The results indicate that for the ligand – free adsorbent, sorption generally increased with increase in pH, optimum pH being established between 5.0 and 6.0 for the three toxic metal ions studied. The presence of the ligands (ethylenediaminettraacetic acid, EDTA,enthylenediamine, en,and chloride ion, Cl-) generally improved the sorption capacity for the adsorbent, the best being Cl- at optimum pH of 2.0 (for Co2+) and 5.0 (for Ni2+ and Cd2+). The thermodynamic studies reveal that the adsorption process is non – spontaneous in the forward direction

Levels of As, Pb, Cd and Fe in Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in Ambient Air of Artisan Workshops in Benin City, Nigeria

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) collected from three different artisans’ workshops was analyzed for As, Cd, Pb and Fe by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The range of SPM concentrations for the three workshops was 583-20,166Bg/m3. The highest concentrations of these elements were observed in Motor Spray Painting (MSP),8528±389Bg/m3 and Welding and Panelbeating (WDP) workshops, 11086.8±10644Bg/m3. The calculated enrichment factor revealed Cd to be highly enriched in Battery Maintenance and Charging (BMC) and MSP. The enrichment factor of all the elements suggests that there was a significant contribution from anthropogenic sources. These values of SPM obtained violate both FEPA,1991 and WHO,1994 standards.Keywords: suspended particulate matter, metals, workshops, city, Nigeria

Artocarpus altilis proving its worth in toxic metal removal from the environment

Nuts of breadfruit tree (Artocarpus altilis) obtained from Ugbowo Campus of University of Benin, Benin City, were dehusked and the husk thoroughly washed with distilled water, air-dried, pulverized and sieved to obtain the particulate sizes of 63ƒÊm, 300ƒÊm and 600ƒÊm. These particulate sizes were oven-dried at 105oC to constant weight and preserved in a desiccator. The pulverized husk hereafter was referred to as adsorbent. Adsorbent (1.0g) of each particulate size was weighed into 100cm3 conical flask containing 50cm3 of 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0mgL-1 Pb2+ ions, respectively. These mixtures were shaken for 30 min after which they were filtered and the filtrate used for Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) analysis. The same process was repeated using Cd2+ and Ni2+ ions, respectively. The effects of particulate size (surface area), temperature, initial metal ion (adsorbate) concentration and pH, on the extent of sorption, were studied; the infrared (IR) spectra of the adsorbent was also studied. Results indicate that sorption capacity is best at pH 4.0 for all metal ions (Cd2+, Pb2+ and Ni2+) studied. The effect of temperaturerevealed that maximum sorption occurs at 29oC compared to other temperatures of 60oC and 90oC. There was a general increase in adsorption of Cd2+, Pb2+, and Ni2+, ions as their initial concentrations increased. The adsorbent particulate size of 63ƒÊm had the greatest adsorptive capacity compared to other sizes. IR analysis of the adsorbent suggested the presence of C = O, OH, N-H, N = O, CßN, and COOH functional groups.Keywords: Artocarpus altilis, sorption, toxic metals

Prevalence of Blood Pathogens among Transfused Patients in Ekpoma, Nigeria

With the advent of 21st century technology that has resulted in the development of sophisticated equipments, bloodsupply is thought to be safer than ever. This study therefore, investigates the incidence and prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections in patients. The study was carried out on 55 hospitalized cohorts who for some medical or surgical reasons needed blood transfusion. Using standard laboratory procedures, the post-transfused blood samples were screened for parasite, bacterial species and viral antibodies. Results showed that 58.18% (32 samples) were positive for transfusion-transmissible infections. Co-infections of several bacterial species, viral antibodies and parasites were also observed in the transfused blood. Specifically, 15 samples were positive for viral antibodies [Hepatitis C (10.90%) and hepatitis B (16.36%)], 25 samples for parasites [Plasmodium falciparum (40.00%), and Plasmodium malariae (5.45%)] and 19 samples for bacterial spp [Staphylococcus aureus (10.90%), Escherichia coli (7.27%), Klebsiella spp (7.27%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (9.09%)]. Our results suggest therefore, that transfusion-transmissible infections from donors to recipients might exist and this calls for attention. Hence, screening donor blood for HIV and hepatitis viruses alone is not sufficient to justify that donor blood is safe. As such, there is a need to further screen transfusion blood for possible transfusion-transmissible infections.Key words: Blood transfusion, pathogenic bacteria, Transfusion-Transmitted Infection, parasites

CT‑guided percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy: First experience in Ibadan, Nigeria

Percutaneous lung biopsy had been described in the nineteenth century by Leyden, but image- guided needle chest biopsy only gained widespread acceptance in the 1970s. Currently, tissue sampling of a thoracic lesion is indicated when the diagnosis cannot be obtained by the non-invasive techniques and cytological diagnosis will modify the stage of the disease or influence the therapeutic strategy. Cytology obtained by small-gauge needle aspiration biopsy confirms the nature of the lesion in 80 – 95% of cases and carry a low incidence of major complications. The purpose of this report was to provide information on our first experience with CT-guided biopsy and show that with some innovativeness much can be achieve with limited resources and good team work. We performed a CT of the thorax using appropriately placed improvised metal markers, which determined the optimal cutaneous entry point. We then re-checked the location of the lesion scanning intermittently at 5mm slice thickness; we marked the entry point with a pen and cleaned the surface with methylated spirit. A local anaesthetic was subcutaneously injected around marked area. We used a 21G aspiration needle to obtain cytology sample then 18G Trucut biopsy needle to obtain histology specimen. The length of the needle was chosen based on predetermined distance of the target lesion from the skin estimated from the CT images. Our patient was a 51-year-old Nigerian female with a peripherally located nodule in the posterior aspect of the right lung. She had CT-guided biopsy of the nodule. The procedure was well tolerated with no complication of pneumothorax. The histology report provided the basis for treatment regimen. Our experience indicates that percutaneous transthoracic CT-guided needle biopsy is feasible and a safe procedure in our hospital for evaluation of undetermined lung lesions.Keywords: CT‑guided biopsy, pneumothorax, pulmonary noduleNigerian Journal of Clinical Practice • Oct-Dec 2013 • Vol 16 • Issue

Novel applications of locally sourced montmorillonite (MMT) clay as a disintegrant in the formulation of pharmaceutical product

This work explores the application of a locally sourced raw material, montmorillonite (MMT) clay, as a disintegrant in the formulation of an analgesic pharmaceutical product - paracetamol. The raw MMT was refined and treated with 0.IM NaCl to yield sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT) and the powder properties established in this work were compared with those of purified kaolinite (KO) clay and a reference standard disintegrant – maize starch (MS). Separately, the NaMMT, KO and MS powders were employed as  disintegrants to compound paracetamol tablets. Some of the physical properties of the tablets were determined. Results of some powder properties showed that NaMMT and KO had superior angles of repose (40.20º and 34.40º, respectively) compared with the reference standard disintegrant MS  (56.00%). Sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT) showed better swelling capacity (1.81) than both KO and MS (1.40 and 1.56, respectively), while MS and NaMMT exhibited comparable water retention capacity  (3.04% and 2.90%, respectively). The porosity of MS (31.94%) was only slightly better than that of  NaMMT (30.00%). For the physical properties of the tablets, the dissolution characteristic of NaMMT was  slightly better than that of MS: for example, the percentage amount of 15% NaMMT and MS dissolved in 0.1M HCl solution at 30minutes duration were 75.40% and 74.10%, respectively; and at 50 minutes  duration, it was 85.10% and 82.10%, respectively. On the other hand, the disintegration property of MS (1.54min) was slightly better than that of NaMMT (2.10min). Kaolinite (KO) failed both the dissolution and integration tests, with only 0.31% dissolving even after 1hr and requiring more than 30min to disintegrate. The friability and hardness tests showed that NaMMT was superior to both MS and KO. Overall, the sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT) was found to hold strong prospect as a disintegrant in the formulation and compounding of certain solid, compact pharmaceutical dosages.Keywords: Compact dosages, disintegrants, local raw material, montmorillonite clay, pharmaceutics

Studies on the Properties of Chitosan-Starch Beads and their Application as Drug Release Materials

In this work, chitosan and blends of chitosan-starch beads were prepared and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (pentane-1,5-dial). The blends were prepared with 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 chitosan-starch ratios. Metformin hydrochloride (N,N-dimethylimidodicarbonimidic diamide hydrochloride), a type 2 diabetis drug, was incorporated into them. The materials were subjected to swellability tests and the effects of time and pH were established. Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectrophotometeric (FTIR) analysis was also carried out on the materials and their potentials as drug release systems studied. The results obtained from the FTIR studies showed that the uncrosslinked chitosan-starch bead showed O-H stretching band at 3424cm-1 and N-H band at 1640cm-1. The chitosan-starch bead also showed a band at 597cm-1 corresponding to C-Cl band, due to the presence of metformin hydrochloride in the bead and its O-H stretching band was very strong and broad due to the numerous –OH groups in starch and chitosan. The results of swelling studies showed that the percent swellability of the polymer matrices increased in both the crosslinked and uncrosslinked beads as the amount of starch in them increased. The uncrosslinked chitosan beads had maximum swelling of 83.74%, while its crosslinked analogue had 47.93% in acidic medium (pH 2.06) within the range of test period of 60 minutes. The amount of drug released by the 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 crosslinked chitosan-starch beads (13.90, 13.60, and 12.30mg/L, respectively) was much lower than that of their uncrosslinked analogues (22.50, 20.90, and 16.60mg/L, respectively) after 120 minutes, suggesting that the release of drug is delayed by crosslinking. This suggests that the crosslinked chitosan-starch beads can be used for regulating release of drugs in solid dosages such as beads or tablets.Keywords: chitosan, chitosan-starch beads, drug release, metformin hydrochloride, swellin

Studying the Characteristics of Polystyrene- Modified Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Wood Cellulose Acetate Membrane

In this work, cellulose was obtained from cocoa wood (Theobroma cacao) by the chlorite pulping process. The harnessed cellulose was acetylated by the process of step-wise acetylation to a degree of acetylation (DA) of 2.06. Ten percent (10%) solution of the acetylated cellulose material in acetone was used to cast membrane. Polystyrene was used to modify the cellulose acetate and was also used to cast membranes. The modified and unmodified membranes were characterized in terms of their salt rejection capacity, extent of dissolved solid (DS) removal, fold endurance, water permeability, swellability in organic liquids and organic liquid separation potentials. The modification of the cellulose acetate with polystyrene increased its potential for salt rejection by 91.10%, dissolved solid (DS) removal by 98.06, fold endurance by 100%, but decreased its permeability to water by 10%. The result of the permeation test for organic solvents showed a variation in the permeation rate of the organic liquids ranging from 6.08x10-4molcm-2sec-1 for hexane, to 9.67x10-4molcm-2sec-1 for ethanol. Overall, the modification of the cocoa wood cellulose acetate membrane with polystyrene has led to improvement of properties.Keywords: cellulose acetate, cocoa wood, membrane, modified, polystyrene

Resistance Pattern Of Urinary Tract Infection Bacterial Isolates To Selected Quinolones

The Quinolones inhibit bacteria by interacting with DNA topoisomerases (gyrases) of which four subunits (two A and B monomers) have been identified thus, inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase. High level resistance to quinolones can be produced by serial exposure of bacteria to subinhibitory concentration. A Total of 408 suspected UTI and high vagina swab (HVS) samples were examined for bacteria and the isolates obtained tested against the newer quinolones. Prevalence of Bacterial isolates revealed Escherichia coli 110(92%) as the most isolated organism from urine, while Staphylococcus aureus 31(32%) was the most isolated species from HVS samples. Bacterial species such as coliforms 55(70%) and Klebsiella spp 42(84%), equally had high prevalence rate in urine samples. Pseudomonas aeroginosa 19(66%) was next to Staphylococcus aureus in terms of prevalence of isolated strains from HVS samples. The resistance pattern observed for these isolates, showed that the strains were least resistant to Ciprofloxacin, followed by Ofloxacin and Perfloxacin, while they were most resistant to Nalidixic acid. There was however no statistical significance (