Investigation of subsurface Geologic Features in Low latitude Crystalline Basement Complex: case study of Oke-Alapata Area, Ogbomoso, South-western Nigeria

Ground Magnetic survey has been carried out to investigate subsurface geology of Oke-Alapata area of Ogbomoso, Southwestern Nigeria. Magnetic measurements were recorded using proton precession magnetometer. The objectives of the research include determination of depth to magnetic source, investigation of subsurface reliefs and magnetic anomalies signatures associated with geological features such as joints, fractures and lithologic contacts as well as update the geology of the area. The ground magnetic survey was preceded by geological mapping of the area. A total of ten profile lines were traversed in an east-west direction with an inter-profile spacing of 100m and station interval of 5m. The magnetic data obtained were processed and plotted on profiles to obtain the magnetic signatures of the subsurface.  The data were subsequently interpreted qualitatively and quantitatively. The geological mapping revealed the presence of migmatite-gneiss and quartzite at the northern and southeastern part respectively of the study area. The magnetic anomalies ranged from minimum negative peak value of -400nT to maximum peak value of 520nT. The detected geological features include joints and fractures as well as rock-rock contact between Migmatite-gneiss and quartzite. The depth to magnetic source ranged from 6.1m at the southeastern part to 10.8m at the northeastern part of the study area. The strong correlation between the geological map of Oke Alapata, the identified geologic features and the magnetic anomalies interpretations has exemplified the use of magnetic anomalies signatures in characterizing geologic features in a low latitude crystalline basement complex studied. Keywords: Ground Magnetic Survey, Subsurface Geology, Joints, Fractures, Rock-Rock contact, Ogbomoso, Nigeri

Phenolic Extract from Moringa oleifera

This study was designed to determine the antioxidant properties and inhibitory effects of extract from Moringa oleifera leaves on angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) and arginase activities in vitro. The extract was prepared and phenolic (total phenols and flavonoid) contents, radical (nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl (OH)) scavenging abilities, and Fe2+-chelating ability were assessed. Characterization of the phenolic constituents was done via high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis. Furthermore, the effects of the extract on Fe2+-induced MDA production in rats’ penile tissue homogenate as well as its action on ACE and arginase activities were also determined. The extract scavenged NO∗, OH∗, chelated Fe2+, and inhibited MDA production in a dose-dependent pattern with IC50 values of 1.36, 0.52, and 0.38 mg/mL and 194.23 µg/mL, respectively. Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol were the most abundant phenolic compounds identified in the leaf extract. The extract also inhibited ACE and arginase activities in a dose-dependent pattern and their IC50 values were 303.03 and 159.59 µg/mL, respectively. The phenolic contents, inhibition of ACE, arginase, and Fe2+-induced MDA production, and radical (OH∗, NO∗) scavenging and Fe2+-chelating abilities could be some of the possible mechanisms by which M. oleifera leaves could be used in the treatment and/or management of erectile dysfunction

Systematic and meta-analysis of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis related type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Global increase in diabetes (DM) prevalence necessitated the need to establish the association between DM and environmental triggers including MAP (Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis) that have been postulated to play a role in DM etiopathology for effective management. The present investigation aimed to assess the odds ratio (OR) presenting the association between MAP and DM. MAP-related DM studies were systematically retrieved from 6 databases until 31 September 2021 according to PRISMA principles for data abstraction. The abstracted dataset was fitted to the fixed-effects (FE) and random-effects (RE) models using the Mantel–Haenszel approach. Sixteen studies involving 2072 participants (1152 DM patients (957 type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) & 195 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)) and 920 healthy controls) met the inclusion criteria. Results revealed a significant association between anti-MAP antibodies (abs) seroprevalence and T1DM (FE: OR 7.47, 95% CI 5.50–10.14, p value < 0.0001; RE: OR 7.92, 95% CI 4.39–14.31, p < 0.0001) and MAP DNA with T1DM (FE: OR 4.70 (95% CI 3.10–7.13, p value < 0.0001), RE: OR 3.90 (95% CI 0.93–16.38, p value = 0.06)). Both anti-MAP abs and MAP DNA based meta-analyses had medium heterogeneity (I2 = 47.2–61.0%). Meanwhile, no significant association between MAP and T2DM (FE: OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.54–2.37, p value = 0.74; RE: OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.34–4.12, p value = 0.69), its OR magnitude exceeded 1 and prediction interval (0.09–15.29) suggest possibility of association between the duo in the future. The leave-one-out sensitivity analysis depicts a robust meta-analysis in all cases. In conclusion, the study manifests a positive association between MAP and T1DM, highlighting that MAP prevention and environmental control would indubitably revolutionize T1DM management. Also, its projects possible link between MAP and T2DM as more data becomes available. However, it remains elusive whether MAP triggers T1/T2DM or a mere comorbidity in T1/T2DM. Epidemiological activities to fill the global/regional data gaps on MAP-related T1DM and T2DM are advocated in order to assess the burden of MAP-related DM and improve their clinical management.https://www.nature.com/srepSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Systematic review and meta-analysis of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis as environmental trigger of multiple sclerosis

Please read abstract in the article.The National Research Foundation, South Africa.https://www.elsevier.com/locate/msardhj2023School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Short-Term Feeding of Fibre-Enriched Biscuits: Protective Effect against Hepatotoxicity in Diabetic Rats

The effects of fibre-enriched biscuit on biomarkers associated with hepatotoxicity in diabetic rats were investigated. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate. Treatment lasted for 14 days after which the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum was analyzed to determine hepatic function enzymes. The liver was also analyzed to determine hepatic lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes. Induction of diabetes led to elevated levels of ALP, AST, and ALT. These were, however, significantly (p<0.05) reduced in the fibre-enriched biscuit fed (treated) group. There was no significant difference in the serum bilirubin and total protein levels of the studied groups. Reduced albumin level was observed in the diabetic group; this was further lowered on feeding with fibre-enriched biscuits. Induction of diabetes led to increased hepatic level of cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and lipid peroxidation and decreased activities of glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and HDL level. These were significantly (p<0.05) reversed on feeding with fibre-enriched biscuit. This study portrays the protective effect of fibre-enriched biscuit on increased oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia in hepatic tissues of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Olasehinde Tosin's Quick Files

The Quick Files feature was discontinued and it’s files were migrated into this Project on March 11, 2022. The file URL’s will still resolve properly, and the Quick Files logs are available in the Project’s Recent Activity

Pasting alters glycemic index, antioxidant activities, and starch‐hydrolyzing enzyme inhibitory properties of whole wheat flour

This study was designed to compare the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of raw and paste wheat flour. The raw flour was cooked, dried, and milled to obtain the paste flour. The glycemic index, starch, amylose, and amylopectin contents were determined. The inhibitory effects of the raw and paste flour on α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase activities as well as metal‐induced pancreatic damage were also determined. Pasting reduced the glycemic index (63.15%), starch (22.83 g/100 g), amylose (2.88 g/100 g), and amylopectin (17.74 g/100 g) contents. The raw (IC 50 = 0.50 and 1.20 mg/ml) and paste (IC 50 = 0.29 and 1.66 mg/ml) flours reduced the activities of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase, respectively. The paste flour exhibited stronger inhibitory effects against Fe2+‐induced pancreatic damage compared to raw flour. The paste flour exhibited better antioxidant and antidiabetic properties and could be a good processing method to improve the medicinal properties of wheat flour

Chemical Characterization, Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Activities of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Rich Extracts from Chlorella sp. S14

Microalgae is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acid. This study was conducted to identify and isolate microalgal strain with the potentials for producing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and determine its cytotoxic effect on some cancer cells. The algal strain (Chlorella sp. S14) was cultivated using modified BG-11 media, and algal biomass obtained was used for fatty acid extraction. Gas chromatographic–mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantify the levels of the fatty acid constituents. The total content of monounsaturated fatty acids (1.12%) was low compared to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (52.87%). Furthermore, n-3 PUFAs accounted for (12.37%) of total PUFAs with the presence of α-linolenic acid (2.16%) and cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid (2.16%). The PUFA-rich extract did not exhibit a cytotoxic effect on normal cells. Treatment with the PUFA-rich extract (150 µg/mL) significantly reduced cell viability in MCF-7 (31.58%) and A549 (62.56%) cells after the 48 h treatment. Furthermore, treatment of MCF-7 with fatty acid extracts (125 and 150 µg/mL) showed a significant reduction in MDA levels, increase in catalase activities and decrease in GSH level compared to untreated cells. However, a slight decrease in MDA level was observed in A549 cells after the 48 h treatment. There are no significant changes in catalase activities and GSH level in treated A549 cells. However, a slight reduction of NO levels was observed in treated MCF-7 and A549 cells. These results indicate the potentials of PUFA-rich extracts from Chlorella sp. S14 to reduce viability and modulate redox status in A549 and MCF-7 cells

Therapeutic Potentials of Microalgae in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Current research is geared towards the discovery of new compounds with strong neuroprotective potential and few or no side effects compared to synthetic drugs. This review focuses on the potentials of extracts and biologically active compounds derived from microalgal biomass for the treatment and management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Microalgal research has gained much attention recently due to its contribution to the production of renewable fuels and the ability of alga cells to produce several secondary metabolites such as carotenoids, polyphenols, sterols, polyunsaturated fatty acids and polysaccharides. These compounds exhibit several pharmacological activities and possess neuroprotective potential. The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves complex mechanisms that are associated with oxidative stress, cholinergic dysfunction, neuronal damage, protein misfolding and aggregation. The antioxidant, anticholinesterase activities as well as the inhibitory effects of some bioactive compounds from microalgae extracts on β-amyloid aggregation and neuronal death are discussed extensively. Phytochemical compounds from microalgae are used as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and food supplements, and may possess neuroprotective potentials that are relevant to the management and/or treatment of AD

Phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, anticholinesterase potential and modulatory effects of aqueous extracts of some seaweeds on β-amyloid aggregation and disaggregation

Context: Seaweeds contain bioactive compounds with different biological activities. They are used as functional ingredients for the development of therapeutic agents to combat degenerative diseases. Objective: This study investigated the phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, cholinesterase inhibitory and anti-amyloidogenic activities of aqueous extracts of Gracilaria beckeri (J.Agardh) Papenfuss (Gracilariaceae) (RED-AQ), Ecklonia maxima (Osbeck) Papenfuss (Lessoniaceae) (ECK-AQ), Ulva rigida (C.Agardh) Linnaeus (Ulvaceae) (URL-AQ) and Gelidium pristoides (Turner) Kützing (Gelidiaceae) (GEL-AQ). Materials and methods: Phenolic composition of the seaweed extracts was determined using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Radical scavenging and metal chelating activities were assessed in vitro. The effect of the extracts (21–84 µg/mL) on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities were also investigated using an in vitro colorimetric assay. Transmission electron microscope and thioflavin-T fluorescence assay were used to examine the anti-amyloidogenic activities of the extracts. Results: Phloroglucinol, catechin, epicatechin 3-glucoside were identified in the extracts. ECK-AQ (IC50=30.42 and 280.47 µg/mL) exhibited the highest OH• scavenging and metal chelating activities, while RED-AQ (41.23 and 334.45 µg/mL) exhibited the lowest. Similarly, ECK-AQ (IC50 = 49.41 and 52.11 µg/mL) exhibited higher inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities, while RED-AQ (64.56 and 63.03 µg/mL) showed the least activities. Rapid formation of β-amyloid (Aβ1-42) fibrils and aggregates was observed in electron micrographs of the control after 72 and 96 h. The reduction of Aβ1-42 aggregates occurred after co-treatment with the seaweed extracts. Discussion and conclusion: ECK-AQ, GEL-AQ, URL-AQ and RED-AQ may possess neuroprotective potential and could be explored for the management of Alzheimer’s disease