Antiplasmodial Activity shown by Secondary Metabolites Extracted from the Seeds ofPentaclethramacrophyllaBenth

Oil extracts from the African oil bean seed (PentaclethramacrophyllaBenth.) was analyzed for its phytochemical and mineral content and proximate, physicochemical and antimicrobial analyses were also performed. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannins, saponins, quinones, terpenoids, phenols and coumarins in the oil sample. Mineral determination of the cotyledon showed the presence of iron (Fe) (with the highest concentration), Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Pb and Cd; while proximate analysis gave the following result: moisture (14.2%), ash content (1.5%), crude fibre (4.9%), crude proteins (12.8%), oil contents (4.9%), and carbohydrate (61.8%). GC-MS analysis of the partitioned petroleum ether and chloroform fractions of the oil revealed the presence of 9-Octadecenoic acid, 9,12- Octadecadienoic acid and their methyl esters,cis-9-Hexadecenal among the many components of the oil extract. Physicochemical analysis of the oil indicateda saponification value (148.67 mg KOH/g), peroxide value(8.0 meq/g), iodine value (10.41 mg iodine/g) and free fatty acid (8.98 mg KOH/g). The need for the development of new drugs for malaria led to our study of the antiplasmodial activity of the oil from the seeds of Pentaclethramacrophylla. Toxicological studies were carried out to determine the LD50with chloroquinediphosphate as positive control and normal saline as negative control. Using the Peter’s 4 day suppressive test a parasite inhibition rate of 47.72% (25 mg/kg), 63.63% (50 mg/kg) and 61.36% (100 mg/kg) on day 4 after treatment was recorded. A 95.45% chemo-suppression was observed for animals treated with 10 mg/kg chloroquine. This resultis an indication that the extract had appreciable signs of chemosuppression

RELIABILITY OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS IN NIGERIA

The incessant electric power supply problems facing the existence of industries in Nigeria is a pointer to the fact that there is great need for fault evaluation and reliability assessment of electric power system in the country and provide solutions. As it has been earlier said, this problem has grounded many activities and has destroyed many industrial processes. In view of this, a traditional analytical method is developed to access the occurrence of faults and outages along each of the individual consumer point in a feeder, as well as optimizes the reliability of the generation, transmission and distribution system. In view of this, it will be possible to improve on the performance of the system. It will also assist in the generation and transmission of sufficient power, clearing of faults, ensuring adequate protection and reliability of the distribution system that is, bringing a steady uninterrupted power supply to consumers within the distribution area and the entire country.Nigerians are experiencing a lot of difficulties as a result of poor Generation, Transmission and Distribution of electricity. As of 2016, the electricity energy consumption in the world from the world fact book revealed that the average power per capital (watts per person) in the United States is 1,377 Watts. In Canada, it is as high as 1,704 Watts per person and in South Africa; it is 445 Watts per person. The average power per capital in Australia is 1,112 Watts and in New Zealand it is 1,020 W per person. Whereas, the average electricity consumed in watts per person in Nigeria is just 14 Watts. This has put Nigeria in a rank of 189 out of 219 countries estimated. Currently, power generating capacity in Nigeria is estimated to be 6,803 megawatts, with average working capacity between 3,500 MW for over 170 million people (20.59 W/person). The power Companies in Nigeria face a lot of problems. Some of the highest priority issues being low generation of power, inadequate equipment and technical team for the clearance of faults, inadequate protection devices, transmission losses and low reliability of the distribution system. The Nigerian power problem has resulted to incessant planned, forced and unplanned outages. This has grounded many activities and has destroyed many industrial operations and processes. In addition, it has resulted to erratic and unreliable supply of electricity. It has reduced productivity and has increased unemployment and crime rates in the country. Hence, an analytical method is developed to study the dynamic- reliability of the distribution system, as well as optimizes the occurrence of faults and outages along the consumer point in each feeder in order to improve the performance of the system. A great need for fault evaluation and reliability studies of electric power system was observed. This research work analyzed the problems facing the Distribution System. Efforts were made to provide adequate solutions to the problems. The research work evaluated the occurrence and causes of faults and outages in the Distribution Network Area for a period of 8 years. In addition, it analyzed and reduced the effects of power losses along each of the feeders in the Distribution Network Area. This research work revealed the downtime, failure rate and reliability index along each of the eight feeders. It also improved the reliability and performance of the distribution system.Elizade University, Ilara- Mokin, Ondo Stat

SLC11A1 Gene Polymorphism in Adults Co-Infected with Helminth and Latent Tuberculosis in Yewa, Ogun State

Mutations in the 3’UTR and D543N regions of the solute carrier 11a1 protein (SLC11A1) gene have been found to strongly increase the risk of several diseases caused by intracellular organisms such as M. tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to screen for polymorphisms in the 3’UTR and D543N regions of SLC11A1 gene with the goal of understanding the genetic dynamics of tuberculosis and schistosomiasis co-infection in a Nigerian adult population. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 185 participants who were screened for intestinal and urinary helminthiases using microscopic examination of stool and urine respectively; latent tuberculosis using skin tuberculin test; and active tuberculosis using sputum microscopy. PCR-RFLP analyses were carried out on extracted DNA for detection of SLC11A1 gene polymorphisms. Participants filled questionnaires from which information on awareness, clinical and family histories and lifestyles were obtained. There were no polymorphisms observed. 32% had urinary schistosomiasis and 0.1% had intestinal helminthiasis suggesting that both types of infections could occur independently in the same population. The prevalence of coinfection with schistosomiasis and tuberculosis was 6.5%. This observation suggests an immunomodulation during schistosomiasis and latent tuberculosis co-infection. The absence of polymorphisms did not support the hypothesis that co-infection with schistosomiasis and latent tuberculosis might play a role as a risk factor during the development of active tuberculosis

Screening of Ameloblastoma Cases in Ibadan for HPV and EBV Genes.

Context: This study investigated the presence or absence of β-catenin and Patched1 (PTCH1) genes involved in the developmental pathway in ameloblastoma, in order to clarify the genetic etiology of this tumor. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether PTCH1 and β-catenin genes are involved in the development of ameloblastoma. Subjects and Methods: Archived formalin-fixed paraffinembedded specimens of 89 ameloblastoma cases from the year 2000 to 2010 were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: A total of 21 (23.6%) of the 89 ameloblastoma cases were positive for β-catenin gene, where 14/21 (66.7%) cases were mandibular ameloblastoma. Plexiform 5/21 (23.8%) and cystic 5/21 (23.8%) ameloblastoma were the most regular histological type positive for β-catenin. However, β-catenin positive was more in the feminine gender (11/19, 57.9%) than the masculine (8/19, 42.1%). Only one case was positive for PTCH1 gene and this was histologically a mandibular site and plexiform-type ameloblastoma. Conclusions: This study suggested that β-catenin and PTCH1 genes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ameloblastoma

Selection of T cell epitopes from S. mansoni Sm23 protein as a vaccine construct, using Immunoinformatics approach

Schistosomiasis, a neglected and most prevalenttropical diseases after malaria, have been a threat to people living in endemic areas. With regards to possible resistance to the popular drug (praziquantel) use for treatment of schistosomiasis, the need for a permanent vaccinating approach has been justified. This study uses an in silico approach to identify potential target vaccine candidate or T cell epitopes (T cell response activating epitope) for the treatment of schistosomiasis. This research therefore identified some candidate T cell epitopes from Sm23 protein of Schistosma mansoni using immunoinformatics tools. Nonameric epitopes like 85YMYAFFLVV93 , 83MLYMYAFFL91 , 8MRCLKSCVF16 , 41SQYGDNLHK49 and 104VAVVYKDRI112 was found to exhibit strong binding affinity with some human leukocyte antigen (HLA). The predicted epitope was found to have no similarity with human proteome, a good attribute that is conferred on any good vaccine candidate. The predicted epitopes provide promising drug candidates and could be tested by wet laboratory as targeted vaccine against S. mansoni infection

Cryptosporidium infection in undernourished children with HIV/AIDS in Jos, Nigeria

Background: AIDS and Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) severely impair the immune system Cryptosporidium has over the last two decades emerged as a life threatening disease. The study attempts to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in malnourished children with HIV/AIDS. Method: Blood and stool samples of 52 HIV-seropositive children and another 52 HIV-sero-negative children aged 0-5 years were collected and screened for HIV and Cryptosporidium oocysts respectively. The sera were screened by double ELISA and the stool by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen method. Results: Out of the 52 HIV-seropositive undernourished, under-five children, none (0%) excreted Cryptosporidium oocyst in their stools while 2 (3.8%) of the control group excreted the oocyst. Conclusion: Cryptosporidium infection seems to be uncommon among undernourished under five children with HIV/AIDS in Jos. Key Words: Cryptosporidium, children, HIV/AIDS, undernutrition Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(2) 2004: 80-8

Prevalence of Multi-drug Resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolates in Surgical Units of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria: An Indication for Effective Control Measures

Background: Multiple antibiotic resistance in bacteria populations is currently one of the greatest challenges to the effective management of infections. Constant bacteriological monitoring of pathogens in the hospital in general and specialized units is necessary to provide accurate data on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of specific pathogens. Method: All clinical samples from the surgical units of ABUTH, Zaria over a 24-month period were processed and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates characterized and identified using standard microbiological procedures. The antibiotic susceptibility of isolates and a standard strain to ceftazidime, amikacin, gentamicin, imipenem, ciprofloxacin and perfloxacin was determined by the disk diffusion method. Results: A total of 1,452 clinical specimens were processed and 878 pathogenic bacteria isolated within the study period. There were 92 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, giving a prevalence level of 10.5%. Most of the isolates were from urine (51.1%) and wounds (41.3%). A total of 18/92 (19.6%) of the isolates were resistant to three or more of the antibiotics tested, with the most prevalent resistance pattern being ceftazidime+gentamicin+perfloxacin+ofloxacin (27.8%). Conclusion: There is need for instituting an antimicrobial resistance surveillance system that provides clinicians with up-to-date data on the prevalence and resistance pattern of commonly encountered pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa

In-vitro antimicrobial activity of crude extracts of Diospyros monbuttensis

Diospyros species in folklore medicine are used as anti-inflammatory,  antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer and antiviral agents. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of crude extracts of the leaves of Diospyros monbuttensis were evaluated against three bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Micrococcus luteus ) and fungal strain (Aspergillus niger). Extraction was carried out using both polar and non-polar solvents (ethanol and water). The leaves were screened for phytochemical constituents and preliminary screening for antimicrobial activity carried out using the agar well diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the agar well dilution method. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, glycosides and alkaloids in the plant. The ethanolic leaf extract of D. monbuttensis had no activity against the test organisms, but antimicrobial activity was observed for the aqueous extract against S. aureus and E. coli at all concentrations tested. The MIC of the aqueous extract of D. monbuttensis on S. aureus and E. coli was 0.78 mg/ml. The results of this study indicate that Diospyros monbuttensis leaves may be used for treatment of infections caused by S. aureus and E. coli.Keywords: Diospyros monbuttensis; Antimicrobial activity; phytochemical screenin