Cadmium Tolerance and Phytoremediation Strategies of Selected Tropical plants Cultivated on Industrial Dump Site under the Influences of Two Mycobionts

This research was carried out on a waste disposal site of a paint industry in Ijebu- Ijesha, Osun State, Nigeria in an attempt to assess the cadmium toxicity tolerance and bioremediation strategies of selected tropical plants cultivated under the influence of two mycobionts. On the waste disposal site, two plots (Plot A and B) having size of about 9 m by 12 m each were prepared with a control plot (Plot C) which is a non-polluted site. The experimental design on the first plots (Plot A) was 4x2x3 in which viable seeds of the four selected weeds were grown and inoculated with two mycobionts (Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae) respectively in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. However, on the second (Plot B) and control plots, only the seeds of the weeds were grown without mycorrhiza treatment using the same experimental design of 4x3 respectively. After Twelve weeks of planting, each plant was harvested, separated into root and shoot tissues and analysed for Cd concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The highest (18.51 mg/kg) concentrations of Cd were reported in Amaranthus spinosus with root and shoot bioconcentration factors; and transfer factors greater than 1.00. Out of the four plants, 75% act as cadmium phytostabilizers in the absence of inocula and were good candidates for the biomanagement of hazardous sites while all the plant displayed the characteristics of a cadmium phytoextractor under mycorrhizal inoculation with Amaranthus spinosus having the highest mobility indices of cadmium under the influence of Glomus intraradices. The study concluded that the four weeds are good Cd phytoextractors in the remediation and biomanagement of marginal lands under bioaugmentation

Effects of Raw Ethanolic Seed Extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum on Heamatological and Histopathological Parameters in Swiss Albino Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei

Study was carried out to determine the heamatological and histopathological effects of raw ethanolic seed extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum in swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (NK65). Standard methods were employed to determine the heamatological, histopathological indices and biochemical assay. The experimental mice were acclimatized for seven days before the commencement of treatment. Mice were grouped into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) of four mice each. The mice in group B were treated with a standard antimalarial drug (chloroquine as positive control) at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight, while mice in groups D, E and F was administered with increasing dosages (200, 400, 600 mg/kg body weight) of seed extracts for four consecutive days respectively. Group C (Normal control) served as mice that was not infected and treated. Heamatological analysis revealed an increase in Packed Cell Volume, Red Blood Cells, Heamoglobin and Platelet values of all mice in groups D, E and F (mice administered different concentrations of the extract). Mice in group B (chloroquine treated group) have the highest value. Mice in group A (negative control) exhibited lowest values of Heamoglobin, Platelet, Red blood cells, and Packed Cell Volume. There was significant increase in the levels of Alanine Transaminase and Aspartate Transaminase in group A (infected and not treated) compared to mice in groups C, D, and E. Restorative effects of seed extract was observed on the liver and kidney of mice at dose levels (400 and 600 mg/kg) used, but the seed extract at the dose of 600 mg/kg was observed to have adverse effects on the liver of the mice. This study therefore shows that Tetracarpidium conophorum was able to boost the formation of heamatological indices and was not toxic to the organs (liver and kidney) in mice

EFFECTS OF PRETREATMENT ON BIOBUTANOL YIELDS FROM RICE-BRAN AND DEOILED RICE-BRAN PROCESSED WITH Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4

Acid and enzymatic pre-treatment of selected lignocellulosic materials [Rice Bran (RB) and Deoiled Rice Bran (DRB)] were conducted to facilitate the release of simple sugars for fermentation process leading to biofuel production. In this study, an innovative approach involving the use of acids to breakdown the complex lingo-cellulosic structure of  RB and DRB was utilised. In addition, RB and DRB samples were  subjected to physical (heat treatment) and enzymatic treatments, sequentially; in order to improve the amount of simple sugar available as substrate in a microorganism assisted fermentation process. The released sugar from the various treatment regimes were subjected to fermentation process. The highest total fermentable sugar obtained from the Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), HCl and H2SO4 treated hydrolysate were 33.07 g L-1, 27.14 g L-1 and 31.93 g L-1 for treated hydrolysates, respectively. DRB samples showed a higher total sugar yields and fermentation products than RB samples. The highest butanol yield obtained from the TCA, HCl and H2SO4 treated hydrolysate were 8.66 g L-1, 5.32 g L -1 and 7.86 g L-1, respectively, after fermentation. The Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) yield and productivity of the TCA, HCl and H2SO4 treated DRB hydrolysates were 0.47 g/g and 0.1g L-1 h-1, 0.32g/g, and 0.07 g L-1 h-1 as well as 0.42 g/g, and 0.08 g L-1 h-1, respectively. (This is consistent with Table 1) The high ABE yield and productivity values suggest that TCA is a good novel pre-treatment agent for biomass fermentation

Information Security in Health Care Centre Using Cryptography and Steganography

As the volume of medicinal information stored electronically increase, so do the need to enhance how it is secured. The inaccessibility to patient record at the ideal time can prompt death toll and also well degrade the level of health care services rendered by the medicinal professionals. Criminal assaults in social insurance have expanded by 125% since 2010 and are now the leading cause of medical data breaches. This study therefore presents the combination of 3DES and LSB to improve security measure applied on medical data. Java programming language was used to develop a simulation program for the experiment. The result shows medical data can be stored, shared, and managed in a reliable and secure manner using the combined model.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, 1 tabl

Race and racism: are we too comfortable with comfort?

After the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests, there has been a renewed appetite to tackle racism in all aspects of life. Within medicine and especially primary care, many people seem unclear about the racial disparities in health contexts, society, and beyond. This editorial highlights how racism and racial disparities can interweave and influence a day in the life of a GP

MODIFICATION OF NIGERIAN BENTONITE FOR UTILIZATION IN OIL WELL DRILLING OPERATIONS

More than 80 bentonite clay deposit sites had been identified in Nigeria. Yet, almost all clay and additives used for drilling oil well are imported. The reason is partly that in their natural states, they do not swell while polymers in their raw forms remain unstable at high temperatures. This study aimed at evaluating the potentials of chemically modified Nigerian bentonite for application in the oil and gas industry. The Gombe bentonite from Gombe State was beneficiated using NAHCO3 and slurries were made by dispersion in distilled water. In the presence of other local additives, evaluation of the slurries was carried out on the basis of filtration loss and rheology at different temperatures (30, 60 and 85 oC) using a Central Composite Design (CCD). The clay sample was characterized for mineral and elemental compositions using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and X-ray fractometer (XRF) while proximate analysis was carried out on the additives. At the optimum condition, the result shows a significant improvement in mud rheology and fluid loss at various temperatures which are in close agreement with the API recommended standard

Microorganisms associated with urine contaminated soils around lecture theatres in Federal

Study was carried out to investigate microorganisms in urine contaminated soils around lecture theatres within Federal University of Technology, Akure. Fortyeight soil samples were collected and analyzed using soil serial dilution and pour plating techniques. Nutrient Agar was used for bacteria isolation and subculture while Potato dextrose agar and Warcup method were used for fungi isolation. Urine contaminated soil samples were collected from Biology Department Lecture Theatre, University Diploma Lecture Theatre and Microbiology Lecture Theatre. Bacteria isolated from these soils and their prevalence include Bacillus species (31%), Corynebacterium species (24%), Staphylococcus species (17%), Enterobacter cloacae (9%), Micrococcus species (7%), Klebsiella liquefasciens (4%), Flavobacterium rigense (3%), Acinetobacter anitratus (3%), and Alcaligenes eutrophus (2%). The predominant bacteria were Bacilli, and the least was Alcaligenes eutrophus. Fungal isolates were Aspergillus species (46%), Trichoderma viride (15%), Articulospora inflata (11%), Varicosporium elodeae (9%), Rhizopus nigricans (7%), Gliocladium deliquescens (6%), Penicillium notatum (4%) and Beauveria bassiana (2%). Predominant fungi genus in soils from these sites was Aspergillus. Soil from Microbiology Department area generally had the highest counts. In this study, the researchers discussed the public health implications of persistent urination in public soils as potential source of pollution to man and plants

Resolving the Enhanced Flow Parameters for an In-depth Analysis of the MRI- Neuroimaging

The functionality of current neuroimaging using the MRI machine needs to be improved to diagnose more complex problems. A new mathematical concept based on the solutions of the Bloch NMR for MRI applications was adopted to resolve functionality problems- by the inclusion of molecular interactions. The signal loss factor 'E' caused by fluctuating velocity due to compartmental boundaries in the macromolecular sites was proposed to be the vital factor required for clinical diagnosis of cognitive impairment

Earthworm Urine Used as Foliar Spray on Amaranthus hybridus (Green amaranth) Boosts Growth and Stimulates Stomata Opening

The advent of spray drones for agrochemical applications calls for continuous exploration of potentially affordable and sustainable liquid biofertilizers. Thus, we evaluated the effects of earthworm urine foliar spray on the growth performance (height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem girth) and stomata opening of Amaranthus hybridus (Green amaranth). Earthworm urine was obtained by placing 500 g of Libyodrilus violaceus in one litre of earthworm saline, for one hour. Amaranthus hybridus seeds were planted into 90 pots, divided into three treatment groups of 30 pots each. Upon germination, the first group was sprayed with earthworm urine, the second and third groups with saline water and ordinary water, respectively. Earthworm urine significantly (p < 0.05) increased all the measured growth parameters, and stimulated the opening of stomata, relative to saline water and ordinary water. This result is a strong indication that earthworm urine contains hormones that boost plant growth, and is potentially suitable for use as a liquid biofertilizer, for increased production of Amaranthus hybridus and related vegetables

Microorganisms in Soil and Groundwater of Epe and Laje Solid Waste Dumpsites in Ondo Town, Nigeria

The menace of open dumps is a serious concern in Nigeria because of its associated health hazards.  In this work, microorganisms in soil and groundwater of Epe and Laje dumpsites which are two major dumpsites in Ondo metropolis, Nigeria were investigated using standard techniques. Bacteria isolates were later identified based on their colonial morphology, cellular morphology and their biochemical characteristics while cotton in blue lactophenol technique was used for fungal identification. Epe had higher bacteria counts (cfu/ml) in both top soil (122.0 ×106) and subsoil (72.0 ×106) when compared with bacteria counts in Laje top soil (97.0 ×106) and subsoil (52.0 ×106). Similarly, Epe also had higher fungi counts (sfu/ml) in both top (25.5× 106) and subsoil (11.5× 106), comparably with fungi counts in Laje top soil (17.0×106) and subsoil (9.5×106)). Meanwhile, total heterotrophic bacteria counts (cfu/ml) of the ground water samples was higher in Epe (42.0 x106 ) and Laje (27.0x106) in comparison with total heterotrophic fungi count (sfu/ml) in Epe (14.0x106) and Laje groundwater samples (10.5x106). Identified isolates included Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Proteus spp (bacteria) and Mucor spp, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium spp (fungi). Remarkably, these isolates are organisms of medical importance, suggesting serious health threats to the residents around the dumpsites