In vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant studies on N-(2- hydroxylbenzylidene) pyridine -2-amine and its M(II) complexes

A tridentate ligand N–(2–hydroxybenzylidene)pyridine–2–amine has been prepared by condensation of salicylaldehyde and  2–aminopyridine in absolute ethanol. M(II) complexes (M= Mn and Ni) of the ligand were also prepared, recovered by filtration and purified by recrystallization in absolute methanol. Characterization of the prepared compounds was done on the basis of FTIR spectroscopy, solubility test, melting  point/decomposition temperature, conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Job’s method of continuous variation was used to determine the number of ligands coordinated to the metal ions. The result indicated 1:2 Metal (II) to ligand ratio in both the complexes. Appearance of a sharp peak at 1596cm-1 in the FTIR spectra of the ligand indicated the formation of the azomethine (-C=N-) bond. This peak shifted to lower frequencies (1590 cm-1 and 1557 cm-1) in the spectra of the Mn2+ and Ni2+ complexes respectively due to coordination of the azomethine nitrogen to the metal ions. Antimicrobial activities of the ligand and the complexes were studied on Staphylococcus aureus,  Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Aspergillus funigathus and Mucor sp. isolates using disc diffusion method. The results obtained indicated that the test compounds are active against most of the tested isolates. Antioxidant activity of the compounds was tested using 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals scavenging method. The lower IC50 value (2.27 μg/ml) obtained in the ligand, by probit analysis using SPSS 16.0, indicates its high antioxidant property.Keywords: Salicylaldehyde, Azomethine, Reflux, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant

Inhibitive effect by Psidium guajava leaf extract on the corrosion of Al-Si-Mg (SSM-HPDC) alloy in simulated seawater environment

The assessment of Psidium guajava leaf extract as corrosion inhibitor for Al-Si- Mg (SSM-HPDC) alloy in 3.5%wt NaCl solution using the gravimetric based-mass loss and potentiodynamic polarization techniques was investigated. The gravimetric based mass loss test was carried out at different inhibitor concentration, time and temperature ranges of 0.1-0.5%v/v, 1-5 hrs and 30-70oC, respectively, the results revealed that Psidium guajava leaf extract in 3.5%wt NaCl solution-aluminium environment decreased the corrosion rate at various concentrations considered. Inhibition efficiency (IE) as high as 63.17% at 0.5% v/v Psidium guajava leaf extract addition using the gravimetric method was demonstrated in 3.5%wt NaCl solution. The IE of 90.48% was obtained at 0.5%v/v using the potentiodynamic polarization method. The additions of Psidium guajava leaf extract as corrosion inhibitor in the solution indicate higher potential value, IE and polarization resistance with decrease in current density. The two methods used for assessment of the aluminium alloy corrosion behaviour were in agreement and mixed-type corrosion exists which obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm

The density and distribution of the dominant phytoplankton in the southern Caspian Sea

The research project was comprised of four sampling cruises, which were carried out in summer 94; spring, autumn and winter 95 in the southern part of the Caspian Sea, where Chrysophyta (Diatoms) and Pyrrophyta were found to be the dominant phytoplankton. The maximum density of phylum Chrysophyta (Diatoms) was observed mainly during the autumn in the coast line (below 20 m) and in the central part of the southern Caspian Sea, while the highest density of phylum Pyrrophyta occurred during the spring in the subcoastal zone (below 50 m.). The dominant species in the phylum Chrysophyta (Diatoms) were Rhizosolenia calcar-avis, Thalossionema nitzschiodes, Sceletonema costatum, Cyclotella meneghiniane and three members of genus Coscinodiscus, among which R. calcar-avis had the highest density. Members of phylum Pyrrophyta, i.e. Exuvialla cordata, Prorocentrum scutellum and Glenodinium penardii had the highest density during the spring in the central part of the southern Caspian Sea, where E. cordata was the most abundant

Preliminary phytochemical constituents and phytotoxic effect of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth on Sorghum bicolor

The preliminary Phytochemical investigations and phytotoxic effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Albizia lebbeck on Sorghum bicolor was assessed. The result from phytochemical screening revealed that all the allelochemicals tested where found present except steroids and phlobatannins when petroleum ether, methanol and water extracts were used. Petroleum ether extract show the presence of amino acids, protein and glycosides while methanol and water extracts showed their absence. Alkaloids, anthraquinones and acids were found present when methanol was used and absent using petroleum ether and water extracts. These allelochemicals are all important allelopathic sources. The leaf extract slowed down the rate of growth of the radicle and plumule of Sorghum bicolor seeds when compared to control. But these inhibitions were not significantly different at 5% level. The degree of inhibition increased with increase of concentration of the extracts hence inhibitions were prominent at extract of higher concentrations.Keywords: Phytochemical constituents, Phytotoxic effects, Albizia lebbeck, Sorghum bicolo

Liquid-assisted Mechanochemical Conversion of 2-hydroxy-3- methoxybenzaldehyde and Some Primary Aromatic Amines to Corresponding Schiff bases

In this paper, two Schiff bases of different solid primary aromatic amines were successfully synthesized using 1:1 and 2:1 molar ratio of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde to solid amine, by Liquid-assistant grinding. TheSchiff-bases were investigated by analytical and spectroscopic techniques using FT-IR, Powder X-ray Diffraction Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Melting point and CHN microanalysis. The Schiff bases were found to be soluble in polar solvent such as methanol and ethanol but insoluble in non-polar solvent such as hexane. Evidence from Infrared spectral study indicated that, the characteristics band attributed to aldehyde stretching disappeared on the final Schiff bases and the new absorption band at 1624 - 1644 cm-1 was due to the ν(C=N) stretching vibration, which is the characteristic band of Schiff base. The Powder-XRD analysis reveals that, the PXRD patterns of the Schiff bases were different from their respective starting materials which indicate the formation of new phase of the product. The elemental  microanalysis of the Schiff base ligand is consistent with the calculated results from the empirical formula of the proposed structure of each  compound. The antimicrobial activities of the synthesized Schiff base were tested using agar well diffusion method, against different strains of bacterial and fungal isolates. The antimicrobial results indicated that, the antibacterial activity of the (H2L1) Schiff base ligand was found to be more effective against Escherichia coli.Keywords: Azomethine, Liquid-assistant grinding, Mechanochemistry, Powder x-ray, Schiff bas

Neurofeedback effect on perceptual-motor skills of children with ADHD

Objectives: This study investigates the impact of neurofeedback on perceptual-motor skills of 5 to 12 years old children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). Methods: In this clinical study, 40 children between the ages of 5-12 years, who were patients of the Tavanesh Clinic and diagnosed with ADHD, were randomly chosen and divided into two groups of control and test. 20-neurofeedback intervention sessions were performed. The tools utilized in this study included Bruninks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and Child behavior checklist (CBCL) survey questionnaire. For evaluation after the intervention, Bruninks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency scale for children, along with CBCL questionnaire surveys were asked to fill up by the participants' mothers. Results: After the intervention, the analysis of the scores in all perceptual-motor skills showed significant differences in both groups, but no significant difference was observed in the subtest of strength. The CBCL survey questionnaire revealed that the average scores on attention disorder, aggression, lack of attention and hyperactivity, externalizing and general problems in the test group is significantly less than that of the control group. However, in the confrontational behavior (internalization), there was no statistically significant difference between the test and control groups. There was a correlation between the change of motor skills and change of behavioral patterns in ADHD children. Discussion: Neurofeedback intervention can have positive effects on improving the perceptualmotor skills of children with ADHD

COSTS AND RETURNS ANALYSIS IN POULTRY PRODUCTION IN BAUCHI AND GOMBE METROPOLIS AREAS

The main objective of the study was to analyse costs and returns in egg production in Bauchi and Gombe metropolises. A number of 29 commercial poultry egg entrepreneurs were purposively selected and interviewed using structured questionnaires. The analysis of the cost structure revealed that feed accounted for about 76% of the total cost of production, while the depreciation on layer stock represented about 90% of the total fixed cost

Atherogenic risk pattern among Nigerian hypertensive and diabetic patients undergoing follow-up visit in a tertiary hospital

Objectives: Cardiovascular risk can be predicted using lipid ratios such as the atherogenic index which is defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of plasma triglyceride (TG) to high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) – it is a useful prognostic parameter for guiding timely interventions and has also been employed as a predictor of cardiovascular risk. However, this is rarely used in the clinical practice in developing countries including Nigeria.Methods: This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of 382 hypertensive and diabetic patients attending outpatient clinics of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Atherogenic risk profile, was categorized as low risk (<0.1), intermediate risk (0.1–0.24), and high risk (>0.24). Predictors were established using regression analysis. Level of significance was set at p-value of <0.05 and 95% confidence interval.Results: The mean age of participants was 56±12 years, 31.4% of participants had high atherogenic risk. This was higher among female patients (60.0%). Participants with high TC, high LDL, uncontrolled blood pressure had odds of 1.64, 1.43 and 1.17 times of developing high atherogenic risk respectively.Conclusion: A significant proportion of participants in this study population were at risk of developing atherosclerosis. Key identified populations at risk of CVD should be considered for routine artherogenic assessment.Keywords: Atherogenic, indices, hypertension, diabete

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection among students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence on HBV co-infection rates with HIV infection among individuals remains conflicting. The study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HIV infections and the possible potential risk factors among students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from 600 consenting consecutive students aged between 16 and 40 years old at the University Health Services, ABU, Zaria. The sera were screened for HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc using diagnostic kits and for Human Immunodeficiency Virus using DetermineTMHIV-1/2 kits. Reactive sera for HBsAg were further confirmed using ELISA kits. For HBsAg, 9.2% (55/600) tested positive among which, none had detectable anti-HBs antibodies, indicating recent infection. About 7.3%, 36.4% and 94.5% were positive for HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc respectively. Seroprevalence of HIV infection was 2.8% (17/600). One (0.2%) of the student was infected with both HBV and HIV. There was a significant association between age group (p=0.016), gender (p=0.049), family history of HBV infection (p=0.000), and seroprevalence of HBsAg. While for HIV, only menial jobs (p = 0.001) was significantly associated with the infection. The results showed close contact among family members to be a predisposing factor to these viral infections. A total of 314 students were ignorant of HBV and four of them were infectious. The seroprevalence of HBsAg obtained in this study indicates high endemicity according to WHO classification. However, seroprevalence of HIV and its co-infection rate with HBV were very low. This was encouraging and it indicates that the campaign on HIV is yielding the desired result. Therefore similar campaign should be extended to Hepatitis B.Keywords: Seroprevalence; HIV; HBsAg; Serological markers; Students; Nigeri

Clinicopathological Effects of Oral Administration of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Charcoal–Tree (Trema Orientalis Linn Blume) in Jamnapari Crossbred Goats

The present study was aimed at evaluating the clinicopathological changes due to oral administration of ethanol leaf extract of Trema orientalis (ELETO) in Jamnapari crossbred goats. The clinical manifestations, gross and histopathological changes in the major vital organs were used as indices of the toxicity. The severity of gross and microscopic changes were evaluated by scoring technique. Twenty goats weighing between 15-20kg were divided into four groups with five goats in each group in a completely randomized design. The test groups I, II, III were administered ELETO at the dosages of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0g/kg b.wt per os/day respectively, for 14 days while, group IV served as a control. Groups II and III showed decreased appetite whereas, group III showed bilateral congestion of ocular mucous membrane, lacrimation, rectal tenesmus and a significant decrease in body weight compared to control. The main gross and microscopic changes were mild to moderate and included; engorgement of the gall bladder, congestion and icteric liver, hepatocellular degeneration, vacuolation, necrosis and renal congestion observed mainly in group III goats. The results indicate that the ELETO was hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic at continued oral doses equal to or more than 2.0g/kg b.wt in goats but no significant toxicity when used at lowers doses. Therefore, special caution should be taken when keeping goats in areas with T. orientalis. Keywords: Ethanol extract, Trema orientalis, Clinicopathological changes, Goats