In-silico Investigation of the Interaction between Beta-class Glutathione S-Transferase and Five Antibiotics, namely; Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin and Cephalexin

Glutathione s-transferases(GSTs) are enzymes involved in the conjugation and deactivation of various xenobiotics including drugs. Thisin-silico study was undertaken in order to investigate the interaction between beta-class glutathione s-transferase and five selected antibiotics, namely; ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and cephalexin using molecular docking study. RaptorX server was used to predict the amino acids involved at the binding sitewhile molecular docking study was employed in order to investigate the binding interactions.RaptorX predicted several amino acids which were different from the ones observed in molecular docking because of the variability in the substrate binding site of GSTs however, all the amino acids predicted by RaptorX were also found to be involved in the GSH binding.Lys107, Phe109, Ser110, Leu113, Trp114, His115 and Arg123, Leu168 were the amino acids involved in the binding of various antibiotics to the substrate binding site of the protein while Ala9, Cys10, Leu32, Tyr51, Val52, Pro53, Glu65 and Ala66were involved in the binding of the co-substrate GSH to the binding site of the protein. The results indicated that all the antibiotics showed a good binding affinity with the beta class GST and are therefore capable of deactivating the drugs. With these, finding a beta class GST inhibitors alongside antibiotics during a treatment of diseases will be of beneficial in the current fight against antibiotic resistance

Milk clotting activity of protease, extracted from rhizome of Taffin giwa ginger (Zingiber officinale) cultivar, from northwestern Nigeria

The increasing prices of calf rennets, their accessibility and ethical concerns associated with the production of such enzymes for general cheese making have led to systematic investigations on the possibility and suitability of their substitution by other enzymes of plant origin. In this study, ammonium sulphate ((NH4)2SO4) fractionation, characterization and milk clotting activity (MCA) of protease extracted from Taffin Giwa ginger rhizome cultivar of the family Zingiberaceae from northwestern Nigeria were carried out. The protease extracted showed optimum activity at temperatures near 60 °C and pH value of 6.5 with a relative activity in a broad pH range of 5.0 to 8.0 accordingly. The enzyme was completely denatured at higher temperature of 100 °C and higher pH range of 12.0. The milk clotting property of the protease indicated 3.1 and 2.2 folds of MCA and MSCA respectively in relation to the commercial calf rennet with MCA/PA ratio of 2.52. The properties of Taffin Giwa protease shown in this study, especially its milk clotting activity, make it a potential candidate for substituting calf rennet in the food industries, particularly in cheese making processes.Keywords: Ginger Protease, Milk Clotting Activity, Calf rennet, Characterization, Extractio

In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Diabetic Potential of Gymnema Sylvestre Methanol Leaf Extract

Some medicinal plants and their purified derivatives have demonstrated beneficial therapeutic potentials for many centuries. They have been reported to exhibit antioxidant activity, reducing the oxidative stress in cells and are therefore useful in the treatment of many human diseases, including diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. This study evaluated antioxidative activity and enzymatic (alpha-amylase and alphaglucosidase) inhibitory potentials of Gymnema sylvestre methanolic leaf extract (GSMLE) using standard methods. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids. The total phenolics and total flavonoids content in the extract were found to be 6.629±0.745 (µg/ml of catechol equivalent) and 0.004±0.0012 (µg/ml of quercetin equivalent) respectively. GSMLE was shown to have radical scavenging activity against DPPH (290.54 ± 39.72 %), hydroxyl radical (86.507 ± 23.55 %) and hydrogen peroxide (45.25 ± 25.23 %). The level of SOD was significantly decreased in H2O2 induced and H2O2+extract induced when compared with normal control (p<0.05); the level of GSH was significantly increased in H2O2 induced control and significantly decreased in H2O2+extract induced test when compared to normal control. GSH was also decreased significantly in H2O2+extract induced when compared to H2O2 induced control (p<0.05). The extract also demonstrated significant inhibition of alpha-glucosidase (IC50 182.26 ±1.05μg/ml) when compared with standard acarbose (IC50 189.52±0.46) and was more potent than the arcarbose on alpha-amylase inhibition with IC50 of 195.3±4.40 and 200.05±7.16 respectively. These findings may therefore, stress the potentiality of using Gymnema sylvestre as a natural remedy for the management of type 2 diabetes

Programmes et politiques pour la réduction de la mortalité maternelle dans l'état de Kano : Une analyse.

Maternal health of any nation is a strong indication of the well being of that nation. This study is aimed to document policies and programs that are directed towards addressing maternal health issues in Kano state of Nigeria. Relevant data was obtained from the state hospital management board, NDHS 2008, and national population council Kano state office. Since the introduction of free maternity services in 2001, antenatal attendance from 28 hospitals increased from 303,649 in 2001 to 705,468 in 2006. Deliveries increased from 29,704 in 2001 to 42,127 in 2006. In one hospital, caesarean section rate increased from 2.82% in 2000 to 8.12% in 2005. Major challenges are inadequate human resource for health, inadequate funding, out of stock syndrome, inadequate infrastructure and poor staff remuneration. Governments intending to remove user fee for maternity care must plan and link this action to broaden improvements within the health system.La santé maternelle de n'importe quel pays est une vraie indication du bien-être de cette nation-là. Cette étude a comme objectif de documenter les politiques et les programmes qui sont façonnés en vue d'aborder les problèmes de la santé maternelle dans l'état de Kano au Nigéria. Les données nécessaires ont été recueillies auprès du Conseil d'Administration de l'hôpital, de l'ENDS 2008 et du bureau de Conseil National de la Population à Kano. Depuis l'introduction des services de maternité gratuits en 2001, les visites anténatales de 28 hôpitaux ont augmenté de 303.649 en 2001 à 705.468 en 2006. Les accouchements ont augmenté de 29.704 en 2001à 42127 en 2006. Dans un hôpital, l'opération césarienne a augmenté de 2.82% en 2000 à 8.12% en 2005. Les défis importants étaient le manque de ressources humaines pour la santé, le manque de financement, le syndrome du manque de médicaments, le manque d'infrastructure et le salaire médiocre du personnel. Les gouvernements qui ont l'intention d'enlever les frais payés pour les soins de maternité, doivent planifier et lier cette action pour élargir les améliorations dans le cadre du système de sant

Profiling the Effects of pH and Temperature on Azo Dye-Decolourisation by Aspergillus quadrilineatus Strain BUK_BCH_BTE1 Isolated from Textile Effluents

Wastewater from textile industries contains azo dye residues that negatively affect most environmental systems. The biological treatment of these wastes is one of the best option due to safety and cost concerns. This research was therefore aimed to isolate and identify fungus capable of decolorizing and utilizing azo dye (dimethyl yellow) as a sole carbon source using one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT). Pour plating method was used to isolate the fungus on mineral salt media (MSM) following serial dilution. The isolate was then morphologically and molecularly identified as Aspergillus quadrilineatus strain BUK_BCH_BTE1 with the accession number OK178927 based on ITS1 and ITS2 rRNA gene sequence and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Characterization was conducted by studying the effect of temperature and pH, in MSM media containing dimethyl yellow as sole carbon sources. The growth of this fungal isolate with dimethyl yellow as substrate was optimal at, temperature of 30 °C, and pH of 5.0. At these optimum conditions the isolate was able to decolourised up to 74.3% of dimethyl yellow dye. The isolate could be a suitable candidate in bioremediation of coloured effluents particularly containing these compounds

Optimizing the Effect of pH and Temperature on Atrazine Degradation by Bacillus safensis strain BUK_BCH_BTE6 an Efficient Atrazine Tolerating Bacteria from an Agricultural Soil in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria

The widespread and long term use of atrazine results in high residue levels of atrazine in soil, which further causes water contamination, it is considered as an endocrine disruptor and is potentially carcinogenic. Microbial degradation of herbicide represents a time cost effective way of eco-restoration. This research was aimed at isolating and characterizing bacteria capable of degrading and utilizing atrazine as a sole carbon source. An enrichment method was used to isolate the bacteria on mineral salt media (MSM) following serial dilution. The isolate was identified morphologically, biochemically and molecularly as Bacillus safensis strain BUK_BCH_BTE6 based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and molecular phylogenetic analysis. The effect of pH and temperature on the degradation of atrazine was studied in MSM medium supplemented with atrazine as sole carbon source. Growth and degradation of atrazine in this isolate was optimal at pH 7.5 and temperature of 35 °C. Bacillus safensis is highly efficient in atrazine degradation with an optimum range of pH and temperature. Bacillus safensis could be a suitable candidate for bioremediation of atrazine polluted sites

Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in Nigeria, 1994–2015: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: The Global significance of schistosomiasis started waning over the years owing to its eradication in most developed societies, until the reawaking of global attention and it now occupies a prominent place amongst the neglected tropical diseases (NTD). The aim of our study was to accurately estimate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in Nigeria, and its six geo-political zones. Subjects and methods: We utilized electronic databases to search and select studies on prevalence across the geographical zones between 1994 and 2015. STATA 10 Random effects meta-analysis of observational studies was used to generate our estimates. Result: Sixty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The unified pooled population studied was 47,440 (n = 14,888 persons). The pooled prevalence]) of Schistosoma haematobium infestation was, for all regions = 34.7% (31.0–38.5) (95% confidence interval [CI)). Conclusion: Schistosomal infestations remain hyperendemic in Nigeria. Nigeria must, therefore, expedite the execution of resolution WHA66.12 adopted by the World Health Assembly on NTD

Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in Nigeria, 1994–2015: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: The Global significance of schistosomiasis started waning over the years owing to its eradication in most developed societies, until the reawaking of global attention and it now occupies a prominent place amongst the neglected tropical diseases (NTD). The aim of our study was to accurately estimate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in Nigeria, and its six geo-political zones. Subjects and methods: We utilized electronic databases to search and select studies on prevalence across the geographical zones between 1994 and 2015. STATA 10 Random effects meta-analysis of observational studies was used to generate our estimates. Result: Sixty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The unified pooled population studied was 47,440 (n = 14,888 persons). The pooled prevalence]) of Schistosoma haematobium infestation was, for all regions = 34.7% (31.0–38.5) (95% confidence interval [CI)). Conclusion: Schistosomal infestations remain hyperendemic in Nigeria. Nigeria must, therefore, expedite the execution of resolution WHA66.12 adopted by the World Health Assembly on NTD