Benign intermittent gastric outlet obstruction in an elderly: Endoscopic management and brief review

We describe the clinical scenario in an 80 year old female who presented with history of epigastric discomfort and postprandial fullness of three weeksduration without any alarming symptoms. On upper GI endoscopy she was found to have gastric polyp with a long stalk which was partially obstructing her pyloric ring giving rise to features of intermittent gastric outlet obstruction Polypectomy was done with complete relief of symptoms .She is following our clinic for last 6 months now. Although possibility of malignant etiology in gastric out let obstruction ranks high in the elderly some patients are lucky to have a benign cause as the index case. Report of the case and brief review ispresented.Key words:Inflammatory polyp, Gastric outlet obstruction

Petroleum Product as Substrate for the Production of Biosurfactive Amphiphlies by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Biosurfactant production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa by utilizing diesel as the source of energy and carbon was studied in this research. Biosurfactant-producing strain of the organism was isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated water and grown in a mineral medium supplemented with diesel. Production of biosurfactant was assayed by monitoring the increase in cell concentration, biosurfactant concentration, emulsification index and decrease in surface tension. Highest level of cell concentration and biosurfactant concentration (3.3^108CFU/ml and 0.0108mg/ml respectively) were obtained at 132hrs. Emulsification index reached its maximum with 33.3% at 108hrs. Surface tension reached its minimum at 120hrs with a value of 1.1^10-6N/m. The results showed that diesel can be utilized by P. aeruginosa to produce biosurfactant and early stationary phase isolates can be used to obtain higher yield. It also revealed the increasing potentiality of microorganisms in the aspect of oil spill cleanup and rapid reclamation of contaminated lands and water bodies.Keywords: Biosurfactant, diesel, surface tension, emulsification index, cell biomass, Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Comparative Studies on the Biosurfactant Production Capacity of Bacillus Subtilis and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Using Engine Oil and Diesel Respectively as Substrate

The study was carried out to compare the the production capabilities and the biosurfactant activity of the bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using engine oil and diesel as the substrates respectively. The test organisms were isolated from engine oil contaminated soil as in the case of the Bacillus subtilis, which was collected from an automobile workshop in Samaru, Zaria and hydrocarboncontaminated water in the case of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The medium used for the experiment was a mineral medium supplemented with 2% engine oil and 2% diesel as the sole source of carbon and energy for Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. Production of biosurfactant was assayed by monitoring the increase in cell concentration, biosurfactant concentration, emulsification index and decrease in surface tension. Highest level of cell concentration and biosurfactant concentration (3.3 x 108 CFU/ml and 0.0106mg/ml respectively) were obtained at 144 h for the Pseudomonas aeruginosa using diesel as source of carbon and energy while the highest level of cell concentration and biosurfactant concentration (3.2 x 108 CFU/ml and 0.0096mg/ml respectively) were obtained at 120hrs for the Bacillus subtilis using engine oil as source of carbon and energy. The research show that Pseudomonas aeruginosa using diesel as the sole source of carbon and energy is better for the production of biosurfactant than Bacillus subtilis using engine oil as the sole source of carbon and energy.Key words: Biosurfactant, engine oil, diesel, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis

Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica among patients with gastroenteritis attending some selected hospitals in Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State

Background: Amoebiasis is a cosmopolitan infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica and ranks third among parasitic infections that lead to death especially in children. Clinical features of amoebiasis range from asymptomatic colonization of amoebic colitis (dysentery or diarrhoea) and invasive extra intestinal amoebiasis, which is manifested most commonly in the form of liver abscesses. Aim: The prevalence of E. histolytica infection in patients having gastroenteritis attending three selected hospitals in Zaria, Kaduna state was studied using direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration method. The hospitals were Hajiya Gambo Sawaba General Hospital Kofan Gayan (Gambo Sawaba), Major Ibrahim B. Abdullahi Memorial Hospital Sabon Gari, Zaria (Limi hospital) and University Health Services ABU Zaria (Sick Bay). Methods: One hundred and forty stool samples from gastroenteritis patients of all ages attending the selected hospitals were examined for E. histolytica trophozoites/cysts via direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration method. Results: Eight samples were positive giving an overall prevalence of 5.71%. Highest prevalence (10.4%) was obtained from patients attending Gambo Sawaba Hospital. The prevalence of 2.4% and 4.0% were recorded among gastroenteritis patients attending Limi Hospital and University (A.B.U, Zaria) health service respectively. With respect to age, the prevalence (11.4%) was highest in the age group 11-15 (years) followed by 6-10 years with prevalence of 6.38%. However, none of the socio-demographic factors examined showed significant statistical association (P>0.05)

Heavy Metal Toxicosis and Male Fertility: The Role of Pentahydroxyflavone Quercetin: a Review

The effect of heavy metals (HMs) has been extensively studied. They cause diverse clinical manifestation through various mechanisms. Male fertility is among the most disturbing effect of HMs affecting family life in human and reproduction in animals. Notably among these effects is interference with the reproductive hormones, morphology and function of reproductive organs, sexual behaviors, and the spermiogram. Quercetin is a dietary flavanoid from edible plants and, has proven pharmacological properties in the treatment and management of many disease conditions. Quercetin ameliorates the adverse effects of HMs on male reproductive hormones by increasing the activity of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β- HSD) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) in the synthesis of testosterone. Quercetin chelates HMs, scavenge free radicals, and other cytotoxicant capable of disrupting the morphology and function of the male reproductive system. Apart from it neuroprotective activity on the pituitary gland and increased steroidogenesis, quercetin mitigate neurotransmitter that aid in copulation and improve histopathological changes in the brain due to HMs toxicity to improve sexual behavior. Quercetin was also found to be effective in increasing sperm count, daily sperm production, mortility, viability, and also decreased in the percentage of abnormal sperm morphology due to HMs toxicity. In conclusion quercetin was found to be effective in mitigating HMs toxicity that affects male fertility, and so, it is recommended to be incorporated into the treatment and management of HMs toxicity. Individuals who are at risk of HMs toxicity should take dietary plants that contain quercetin to minimize the effects of these metals

Biodegradation Studies of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) Compounds by Gliocladium sp. and Aspergillus terreus

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are monoaromatic hydrocarbons found frequently in petroleum and its derivatives; and they are among the most important pollutants of soil and groundwater. This study focused on harnessing the enzymatic capabilities of filamentous fungi Gliocladium sp. and Aspergillus terreus, dwelling in a petroleum-contaminated soil to degrade benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) compounds. The biodegradation experiment was carried out using the fungi individually and in consortium in a batch culture containing mineral salts medium supplemented with 1% v/v BTEX. The experiments were carried out in triplicates at room temperature on a rotary shaker (180rpm) for twenty five days and aliquots were taken on a five day interval to determine the hydrocarbon utilizing fungal (HUF) count and residual BTEX in order to monitor the rate of biodegradation. The hydrocarbon utilizing fungal counts were determined by direct counting using a Neubauer  Haemocytometer while, the residual BTEX was determined using absorbance values measured using a spectrophotometer and the corresponding concentrations determined from a standard curve. The highest percentage degradation of BTEX was observed with Aspergillus terreus (89.1%) while, the least was observed with Gliocladium sp. (84.4%). The growth peak was attained on the 15th day in all treatments after which the HUF counts declined. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean amounts of BTEX degraded and hydrocarbon-utilizing fungal counts between the treatments. The strains of Gliocladium sp. and Aspergillus terreus used in this study showed high ability for BTEX degradation thus, they are potential candidates for bioremediation of soils contaminated with monoaromatic hydrocarbons. Keywords: Biodegradation, BTEX, Gliocladium sp., Aspergillus terreus, Monoaromatic hydrocarbon