Evaluation of the survival of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) isolated from chickens and possible inactivation by in-use concentration of Lindores®, Ecos Timsen® and Omnicide®

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are well-known ascendant nosocomial pathogens. The recent detection of epidemiologic strain carrying vanA gene in the community of people working with animals and in chickens has brought to the forefront the potential public health danger posed by these organism. The farm environment is a major source of VRE persistence in poultry farms. We carried out survival test to test the survival of the VRE isolates on dry condition and surface test to evaluate the inactivation of the isolates by in-use concentration of commonly used disinfectants. In the survival test, all isolates survived for at least 4 weeks in colony counts of (1.00 × 103 – 3.86 × 103 CFU/ml) under clean condition and (1.00 × 103 – 2.02 × 104) for soiled condition. Those that were suspended in 5% BSA solution to mimic organic matter load as obtainable on farms survived for at least 8 weeks at (1.54 × 102 – 1.34 × 103 CFU/ml). In the surface test, inactivation of VRE isolates by in-use concentration of Lindores, Omnicide and Ecos Timsen was tested using the European surface test (EST). All the tested disinfectants were active against the VRE isolates on both the standard test surface (stainless steel) and our test surface (wooden). The results shows microbiocidal effects (ME)for test disinfectants, i.e. the log10 CFU of micro-organisms compared between test biocide and control treated with distilled water, after 7 min of exposure as follows; Lindores® active on both surfaces 5.24 and 3.17, Ecos Timsen® active significantly on steel 4.90 than wood 2.98 and Omnicide® significantly less active on stainless steel 2.40 than on wood 3.50

Antimicrobial Activities of Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus Jujube Linn and Lawsonia Inermis

Infectious diseases are important cause of morbidity and mortality due to continuous emergence of microbial resistance to conventional drugs. Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus jujube Linn and Lawsonia inermis are widely used for traditional medicine in Northern Nigeria. However, little is known about the biochemical and microbiological potentials of these indigenous plants. In this study, the plants leaves were screened for phytochemical and in vitro antimicrobial potentials using standard methods. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of crude methanolic leave extracts revealed high content of glycoside, tannins and phenols. High levels of saponins and flavonoids were also detected. The extracts exhibited antibacterial effects on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas flourecense, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. At 50 mg/ml extract concentration, the zone of inhibition observed was greater than 6mm. This indicates high inhibitory potency of the plants leaves. In comparison to streptomycin sulphate, A. nilotica and L. inermis had statistically similar (P>0.05) effect on E. coli at 50 mg/ml. In general, the inhibitory effect of A. nilotica and L. inermis were higher than that of Z. jujube Linn in all concentrations, except on E. coli at 150 mg/ml. Both the extracts and control drug had minimum inhibitory concentration of 10 mg/ml for all the microbes testedexcept Streptococcus (20-25 mg/ml). Furthermore, the average Minimum Bactericidal Concentration was 15 mg/ml except for Streptococcus with 20-25 mg/ml. Methanol extracts of Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus jujube Linn, and Lawsonia inermis exhibit antibacterial effect, hence could be used as sources of potent agents against bacterial infection.Keywords: Antimicrobial, infectious disease, Methanol extract, Phytochemica

The Impact of Net-Migration on Total Fertility Rate in Sub-Sahara African Countries: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

The aim of the study is to empirically analyse the impact of netmigration on total fertility rate in Sub-Sahara African countries using data from Nigeria. The rational for the study is under-scored by the need for Sub- Sahara African Countries to have a balanced fertility rate that will enable them to achieve their desired economic growth and development, a situation which their current fertility rate cannot sustain; partly due to the migration activities of its working population. Secondary time series data on targeted variable covering the period from 2000 to 2016 were collected and analysed using econometric packages. Findings show that net-migration impact on total fertility rate positively in Nigeria. It is recommended that government should evolve and maintain a balance migration policy that will help to reduce the current high fertility rate through a cultural re-orientation of Nigeria communities which still places preference on large families

Performance Evaluation of Tamarindus Indica Seeds Powder in the Treatment of Dye Wastewater

A large amount of dye wastewater is generated after the local dyeing process. It contains high concentrations of organic and inorganic contaminants. Furthermore, the composition of the wastewater varies according to the type and number of textiles and the water requirements of the process. Hence, its treatment before discharge is necessary to protect the environment. This study investigated the use and effectiveness of Tamarindus indica seeds powder from agricultural waste for removing some recalcitrant target compounds in the dye wastewater. A batch test was performed to examine the use of this adsorbent as a potential replacement for the advanced treatment methods. Varying adsorbent dosages determined the maximum adsorption capacity at 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 g and at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hr reaction times. The optimum dosage, reaction time and percentage removal of various parameters were found to be; Turbidity (no significant effect), TDS (40 g/l, 72 hrs, 54.42%), EC (35 g/l, 72 hrs, 4.46%), Phosphate (35 g/l, 24 hrs, 38.49 %), Total suspended solid (no significant effect), Nitrate (30 g/l, 96 hrs, 15.26%), COD (no considerable impact) and BOD (30 g/l, 48 hrs, 63.38%) respectively. The results showed that adsorption efficiency increased with decreased adsorbent dosage, even at different reaction times. Hence, low-cost adsorbents such as Tamarindus indica seeds can treat dye waste water to a certain level for safe disposal

Effects of Reflective Inquiry Teaching Method on Students’ Academic Achievement in Domestic Installation Module in Technical Colleges of Yobe State, Nigeria

Purpose: The study investigated the effects of reflective inquiry teaching method on students’ academic achievement in domestic installation modules in technical colleges of Yobe State, Nigeria. Methodology/Approach/Design: The study is quasi-experimental in design. A pre-test and post-test   were conducted for both control and experimental groups. Two classes from four Technical Colleges were selected to give a sample size of 88. Electrical Installation and Maintenance Work Trade Achievement Test (EIMWTAT) was used to generate data for the study. The instrument was validated by three experts in the Department of Electrical Technology Education, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola. To determine the reliability of the instrument, Cronbach’s Alpha was used and a reliability coefficient of 0.91 was obtained. Mean statistics was used to answer the research questions, while the null hypotheses were tested using t-test at 0.5 level of significance. Results: The study revealed that reflective inquiry teaching method improves student academic achievement when compared with the demonstration teaching method. It further revealed that reflective inquiry teaching method is not gender biased as both male and female students performed effectively in domestic installation. The study concluded that when students are taught domestic installation using reflective enquiry method, they performed better than when taught using conventional method. Practical Implications: The results of the study may have implications for teaching staff in Technical Colleges of Yobe State, Nigeria. Based on the results of the study, the reflective method can be applied in the teaching and learning of domestic installation, industrial installation and electrical installation and maintenance works in technical colleges. Originality/Value: The study innovates by experimenting with the effect of reflective inquiry in teaching Domestic Installation Module in Technical Colleges of Yobe State, Nigeria. From the analysis, the reflective inquiry was found effective in teaching domestic installation as students’ academic achievement was significantly high. By this, the use of reflective inquiry in the teaching of domestic installation, which is now being introduced, is highly commendable

Environmental persistence and the efficacy of commonly used disinfectants on vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (vre) isolated from chickens and humans

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are well-known ascendant nosocomial pathogens and farm animals have been implicated as the source and reservoir for VRE in humans. In Malaysia, VRE had been a great concern to poultry farmers that export their products to Singapore due to the restriction on export of only VRE-free poultry products. The present study was conducted to provide more understanding on the duration of survival of VRE in the Malaysian local weather and the factors that may affect its survival. The specific objectives of the study are: to ascertain the viability and sustainability of VRE isolates in the local Malaysian environment, to determine the factors that contributes to the survival of the isolates in the environment and to determine the efficacy of commonly used disinfectants available to farmers on the isolates.Survival and surface experiment were performed using 10 isolates of VRE; Enterococcus faecalis (two each from human and chicken, one reference strain) and Enterococcus faecium (two each from human and chicken, one reference strain) carrying vancomycin resistance gene. In the first study, the abilities of the isolates to survive when dried on wooden surfaces in a typical Malaysian climate of high temperature and high relative humidity (RH) of 30oC ± 2oC and 80% ± 10% RH and examined the influence of organic soiling on the survival of the isolates. The results revealed that all the isolates survived for at least 4 weeks when devoid of protective influences of substances such as protein (clean condition) and for a minimum of 8 weeks in the presence of organic soiling (soiled condition). After 4 weeks, the isolates survived with a colony count of 6.80 x 102 – 5.06 x 103 CFU/ml in clean condition and in a relatively higher colony counts of 1.00 x 103 – 2.02 x 104 CFU/ml in soiled condition. Four of the isolates survived till the end of the study (16 weeks). The isolates had an overall decay rate of -0.13 irrespective of source (human or chicken), condition (clean or soiled) and species (E. faecalis or E. faecium). The decay rates did not vary significantly by the source of organism (p = 0.48) but varies significantly between species (p = 0.001). E. faecium have a higher decay rate of -0.16 than -0.13 for E. faecalis in clean condition and the values of -0.12 and -0.11 in soiled condition. The decay rates also varies by condition (p=0.001) with the isolates showing decay rates of -0.144 in clean condition and -0.118 in soiled condition.This signifies that the presence of soiling as obtainable on farms significantly increases the survival time and number of surviving VRE. In the second study, the effect of organic soiling on the disinfection procedure and the efficacy of in-use concentration of a few commonly used disinfectants (Lindores*-30®, Omnicide® and EcosTimsen®), was evaluated using the European surface test. All disinfectants tested have an intermediate activities against the organism (ME consistently between 2 and 5) except for Omnicide® which exhibited low activity on stainless steel surface in soiled condition (MEs consistently between 0.5 and 3).In clean condition, Ecos Timsen® had the highest ME value of 5.29±1.44 while Omnicide® has the least ME value of 2.38±0.58for E. faecalis. On wooden surfaces, Omnicide® showed the highest ME value of 3.53±0.49 for E. faecalis with Lindores-*30® showing the least ME value of 2.84±0.24 for E. faecium in clean condition. In soiled condition, all tested disinfectants exhibited a significantly reduced activity with lower ME values. Omnicide® showed the highest value of 2.43±0.57 for E. faecalis and Ecos Timsen® have the least ME value of1.53±1.01 for E. faecium on stainless steel surface. On wooden surface, the highest ME value was observed when using Ecos Timsen® (2.27±0.58) for E. faecium. Lindores-*30® have the least value 1.11±0.49 for E. faecium. Therefore, this study signifies that the commonly used disinfectants do not altogether eliminate VRE from the farm environment especially in the presence organic soiling and that the rate of effectiveness of the disinfectant varies with type of surfaces where it is being applied. This study has improved on the knowledge on the survival of VRE in the Malaysian climate of high relative humidity and temperatures. Furthermore the in-use concentration of some commonly used disinfectant does not altogether eliminate VRE from the farm environment especially in the presence of organic soiling which markedly reduced the activity of the disinfectants. The study has provided an insight that can be further enhanced in devising means by which VRE persistence in poultry farms can be mitigated

Quartz dissolution in a single phase-high pH Berea sandstone via alkaline injection

A common assertion is that alkaline solution aids oil mobilization by generating in situ soap, or by lowering interfacial tension (IFT) to ultra-low values in synergy with surfactants. This study takes a different approach that involves the alkaline dissolution of detrital quartz grains of sandstone reservoirs to create pathways for oil migration and accumulation. Quartz dissolution via alkaline injection will result in changes in permeability and porosity. This study performed high-pH core flooding on Berea sandstones using core displacement equipment. Silica molybdate spectrophotometry was applied to measure the amount of dissolved silica. Inlet and confining pressure variations were also observed. The molar concentration of NaOH varied at 0.5 M and 1.0 M. The results show higher initial silica dissolution for 0.5 M NaOH (˃200mg/L) compared to 1.0 M NaOH (20 mg/L), which can be attributed to the presence of pre-existing dissolved silica and precipitates in the system prior to the first injection phase. Nonetheless, a steady quartz dissolution rate of 0.4 mg/L/hr for 20 h was only achieved at 1.0 M. Conversely, an abrupt drop in quartz dissolution to below 0 mg/L was recorded for 0.5 M NaOH after 3 h of dissolution. At higher molar concentration of injected alkaline solution, both confining and inlet pressures increased from 8 and 5 bars to 12 and 11 bars as a result of the increased secondary phase of (hydr)oxides or precipitates in the pores. Thus, it can be inferred that the effect of alkaline solution on quartz dissolution is strongly dependent on molar concentration

Screening of Soil Fungi for Cellulase Production using Carboxymethyl Cellulose Media

The research was conducted to isolate soil fungi and screen them for cellulase production using the zone of hydrolysis technique. Several fungi were isolated and characterised from soil environments of different locations using conventional microbiological methods. A total of six isolates were confirmed to be Penicillium chrysogenum, Emericella rogulosus, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, all coded as BG1, BG2, BG3, BG4, BG5 and BG6, respectively. Fungal isolate BG5 has the highest percentage of occurrence (34.30 %), followed by SBG3 (22.86 %). The isolates were screened for cellulase production using the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) agar plate method. All the fungal isolates demonstrated cellulase production ability, with fungal isolates BG5 (18 mm) and BG3 (15 mm) having the highest diameter of zone of cellulose hydrolysis. The research reveals the potentiality of using locally isolated soil fungi for cellulase production

Time-Kill Kinetic Effect of Sodium Citrate, Sodium Nitrite and Cinnamaldehyde Against Biofilm Forming Escherichia coli O157:H7

Food safety is a significant concern of every sector of the food industry. Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with biofilm-forming potential in commercial food premises is a possible danger to consumers’ health, especially in societies where most of the population depend on it for their daily meals. Preservation of fresh food quality being of utmost importance, new innovative means of inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms in foods are being evaluated to be effective at destroying microorganisms and preserving the physical and organoleptic properties. This study aimed to inhibit biofilm formation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by food additives; sodium citrate, sodium nitrite and cinnamaldehyde. The isolate obtained was subjected to Gram’s staining and various biochemical identifications and later confirmed by the latex agglutination test. The Escherichia coli O157:H7 was further subjected to a biofilm formation potential test on Congo red media. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted to obtain the susceptibility/resistance pattern of the isolate to the food additives. The MIC, MBC and time-kill kinetics effect was determined following CLSI 2017 guideline. The highest growth inhibition zone of 31 mm was exhibited by cinnamaldehyde, followed by sodium nitrite with 26 mm and sodium citrate with 13 mm. The MIC was determined to be 2.5 mg/ml for sodium citrate, 0.25 mg/ml for sodium nitrite and 0.125 µl/ml for cinnamaldehyde. Sodium citrate was found to be bacteriostatic between 6-8 hrs with 72.9 % reduction, sodium nitrite and cinnamaldehyde exhibit both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects between 2-24 hrs with percentage inhibition of 65-90 % and 63-100 %, respectively. This study showed that sodium citrate, sodium nitrite and cinnamaldehyde exerted strong antimicrobial properties indicating their potential as suitable preservatives