Annals of Science and Technology最新文献

{"title":"Erythromycin Resistance in Bacterial Isolates from Patients with Respiratory Tract Infections in Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria","authors":"O. Kolawole, O. Idris","doi":"10.2478/ast-2020-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2020-0013","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The occurrence of erythromycin resistance in bacteria causing respiratory tract infections varies among populations and is associated with inappropriate antibiotic usage. This study was undertaken to determine erythromycin resistance in bacterial isolates from patients with respiratory tract infections in Ikere-Ekiti. Bacteria were isolated from sputum specimens using standard microbiological protocols while the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates was determined using the Kirby-Bauer method. Erythromycin resistance genes: mefA, ermA, and ermB were detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of the 157 bacterial isolates identified using standard microbiological methods, Klebsiella spp. 40 (25%) was the most frequent followed by Staphylococcus aureus 34 (22%) and Proteus spp. 34 (22%) while Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, and Bacillus spp. had 19 (12%), 20 (13%), and 10 (6%) respectively. Most of the bacterial isolates were resistant to penicillin 148 (94%), cloxacillin 147 (93.6%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid 141 (90%), erythromycin 141 (90%), and tetracycline 124 (79%). However, the isolates were least resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 57 (36%). Out of the 48 bacterial isolates investigated using multiplex PCR amplification for erythromycin resistance genes, 10 (20.8%) were positive for mefA, 3 (6.3%) were positive for ermA, and 2 (4.2%) were positive for ermB. The association between the presence of mefA, ermA, and ermB genes and erythromycin resistance was not significant (p=0.464). The presence of erythromycin resistant genes in pathogenic bacterial isolates from the respiratory tract was revealed in this study. Awareness of the risk of self-medication and abuse of antibiotics should be emphasized.","PeriodicalId":7998,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Science and Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87746257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HPTLC fingerprinting analysis and in vitro pharmacological activities of Hermannia geniculata roots phenols","authors":"A. Ariyo, Ashafa Anofi Omotayo Tom","doi":"10.2478/ast-2020-0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2020-0010","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Hermannia geniculata is a herb that plays an important role in the treatment of an array of diseases including diabetes, ulcer, and colitis in the South African traditional medicine. The bioactive constituent and medicinal properties in phenols of Hermannia geniculata (PoHG) roots were investigated using high pressure thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The α-amylase inhibitory potentials of PoHG was determined by reacting different concentration of the plant extract with 1% starch solution containing α-amylase. The inhibitory effect of the extract on α-glucosidase was evaluated by pre-incubating α-glucosidase with varying extract concentrations followed by the addition of ρ -nitrophenylglucopyranoside.. The reactive oxygen and free radical scavenging potentials of the extract were also analyzed. The result showed the presence of phenolic compounds in the extract with retention factor (Rf) values ranging from 0.14 to 095. The extract scavenged DPPH, ABTS+, hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals. The extract was able to chelate metallic ions with a lower IC50 value which differs significantly (p≤0.05) from silymarin. Moreover, PoHG extract inhibited the key enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) involved in carbohydrate catabolism with IC50 values of 1.76 ±0.14 and 7.52 ±0.23 mg/mL respectively while IC50 value reported for acarbose were 7.62 ±0.12 and 4.38 ±0.25 mg/mL for glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively. The α-glucosidase exhibited non-competitive inhibition by PoHG extract while α-amylase showed uncompetitive inhibition. This study confirmed the presence of phenol in PoHG extract and also showed an appreciable antioxidant and antidiabetic activities in vitro. Therefore, PoHG extract may be of nutraceutical importance.","PeriodicalId":7998,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Science and Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80988021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chemical and Phytochemical Analyses of Extracts from the Leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana, “an Herbal Plant used for the Treatment of Various Skin Disorders”","authors":"Osibote E. Adejoke, Nwafor S. Paulinus, Iluobe H. Omonigho","doi":"10.2478/ast-2020-0012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2020-0012","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Acalypha wilkesiana is a tropical herb used for the treatment of skin disorders. Phytochemical studies carried out on the pulverized dried leaves of the plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, saponins, flavonoids and tannins. The crude 50% methanol extract obtained from the dried leaves was sequentially partitioned into three fractions. Thin layer chromatography of the fractions revealed three (3) components each in hexane fraction; ethyl acetate fraction and butanol fraction of the plant extract. Column chromatography of the fractions was carried out. The infrared analyses of the components revealed the presence of alkenes, hydroxyl group, conjugate carbonyls, esters in the hexane fraction components. Those from the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions contained aliphatic amides or amines with carbonyl and esters attached in the two fractions. Essential oil was extracted from the dried leaves using hydro-distillation method. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil revealed the presence of major compounds which included: n-Hexadecanoic acid 4-Hexen-2-one-3-methyl, Pyrrole and 6-Benzamido-4-benzoyl-1,2,4-triazine-3,5. The presence of the functional groups inferred from IR and GC-MS analyses with the antimicrobial potential of the essential oil may support the use of the plant in the management of skin infections, gastrointestinal disorders and other ailments.","PeriodicalId":7998,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Science and Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73022106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cerebral Malaria and Toxoplasmosis: Could their Concomitant Presentation Worsen Psychotic Condition?","authors":"M. Ibrahim, O. Atilola, Aminu Mohammed, E. Awosanya, Ismail Ayoade Odetokun, A. Muhammad, C. Chukwudi, K. Ukwaja, Oyetunde T. Oyeyemi","doi":"10.2478/ast-2020-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2020-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Malaria and toxoplasmosis are two important parasitic diseases with significant public health concerns in the Sub-Saharan African countries. Some aspects of pathogenesis of the two parasitic diseases involve the central nervous system manifesting neuropsychiatric disorders. Studies have implicated the single infection by Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in development of psychosis. Although concomitant infection of the two parasites suggests an aggravated psychotic condition, there is currently no reported study. This article reviewed some studies which implicated malaria and toxoplasmosis in psychosis. It further explored the likely role of concurrent infection by the parasites on psychosis, the dynamics of their pathology and possible effects of certain psychosis-associated cytokines and other biomolecules on the central nervous system. We recommend evidence-based research efforts in this field for the effective management of these two parasitic diseases to abate the public health burden of psychosis.","PeriodicalId":7998,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Science and Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89107555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Review of Drinking Water Quality in Nigeria: Towards Attaining the Sustainable Development Goal Six","authors":"O. Nwinyi, O. Uyi, E. Awosanya, I. Oyeyemi, A. Ugbenyen, A. Muhammad, O. Alabi, O. Ekwunife, C. Adetunji, I. Omoruyi","doi":"10.2478/ast-2020-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2020-0014","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Access to potable water is a major problem confronting most developing nations particularly with the overwhelming health burden posed by polluted water and its sources. In this review, studies on the level of contamination of drinking water sources in different geopolitical zones in Nigeria were assessed. The anthropogenic activities eliciting the pollutions were extensively discussed. Overall, the level of Nigeria preparedness in meeting the sustainable development goal number 6 (SDG no 6: to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all) was evaluated. Cogent methods that could enhance the achievement of SDG no. 6 were suggested. From our analysis of published literature, pre- and post- SDG implementation in Nigeria, it is clear that no significant progress has been made in providing potable water for all in Nigeria. All implementing partners must therefore rejig the process to ensure the availability of potable water, in order to achieve the sustainable development goal six.","PeriodicalId":7998,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Science and Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75131101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Solution-Based Position Paper of the Nigerian Young Academy on Sex-for-Grades Menace Across Nigerian Tertiary Institutions","authors":"M. Ibrahim, Temitope O. Sogbanmu, Oluwasola E Omoju, K. Ukwaja","doi":"10.2478/ast-2020-0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2020-0008","url":null,"abstract":"The Nigerian Young Academy (NYA) was inaugurated by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) at the instance of the Global Young Academy (GYA) based in Berlin, Germany. The Academy is a unified platform for interaction among brilliant young researchers below the age of 45 years in Nigeria from various research disciplines. The NYA promotes the application of collective research findings for the improvement of the Nigerian society and plays a crucial role in building inspirational figures for a new generation of researchers. The NYA has her core values entrenched in integrity and excellence in research, and fostering research collaborations among young researchers nationally and internationally. In line with its mission to use scientific research as a pivot for societal development, the NYA occasionally releases position papers on several issues in the Nigerian society. This current position paper relates to the increasing menace of sex-for-grades in the Nigerian tertiary education system. The important role of universities and academics in shaping the future of a society cannot be overemphasized. They serve as harbingers and producers of knowledge for the advancement of the society and the development of the human race. However, following the recent spike in the incidence of professional misconducts among university academics, especially with respect to sexual harassments in Nigeria, the reputation of the tertiary academic institutions in the country has been called into question. The NYA, as the mouthpiece of upcoming Nigerian academicians, believe that this will have a dire consequence on the future of younger academics, in particular, and the educational standards of the country in general. Therefore, we organized an indepth survey, and in consultation with literatures, a deep dive analysis of the unpleasant trend was conducted and we curated and harmonized workable solutions that could go a long way to address the menace and improve our educational standard and national life. Following our survey questionnaire administered via Google forms to academics and students across Universities in Nigeria, a total of 73 university academics and 183 university students who responded, opined that, professional ethics among university academics in Nigeria is very poor. In fact, 45% of the respondents have experienced inappropriate behaviour, even though over 70% of academics and 60% of students stated that it is inappropriate or very inappropriate for academics and their students to have consensual relationship. It is also very common for academics in Nigeria universities to demand for favours from students to influence their results. Indeed, representative data from the literature have indicated a prevalence of sexual harassment of 77% in two (unnamed) Nigerian Universities, 97% in tertiary institutions of Edo State, 36.7% in an institution of Ebonyi State, 8% in Colleges of North Eastern Nigeria, 7.1% in tertiary institutions of Maiduguri, Borno State, 44.","PeriodicalId":7998,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Science and Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89063616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vitro and in vivo effect of 3-Para-fluorobenzoyl-propionic acid on rat liver mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and lipid peroxidation","authors":"A. Olowofolahan, Omosola L. Bolarin, O. Olorunsogo","doi":"10.2478/ast-2020-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2020-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The opening of mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) pore is a well recognized important event in the execution of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. Some bioactive compounds induce apoptosis in tumour cells via the induction of mPT pore opening. This study therefore investigated the effect of 3-Para-fluorobenzoyl-propionic acid (3PFBPA), a metabolite of haloperidol on mPT pore, mitochondrial ATPase activity (mATPase), mitochondrial lipid peroxidation (mLPO) and cytochrome c release (CCR). Thirty-two male Wistar rats, were acclimatized for 14 days in clean cages. After 30 days of treatment, they were sacrificed and the liver mitochondria isolated using differential centrifugation. The mPT pore, mATPase, mLPO and CCR were determined by standard methods using a spectrophotometer. The mPT pore opening was induced by 3PFBPA by 1.4, 3.6, 5.6, 6.6 and 7.4 folds, when compared with the control. Also, there was release of cytochrome c and enhancement of mATPase activity by 3PFBPA. The results also show that 3PFBPA reduced lipid peroxidation. However, oral administration of 3PFBPA at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg did not have any effect on mPT pore opening and mATPase activity when compared with the control but there was inhibition of mLPO. These findings suggested the pharmacological potential of 3PFBPA against the pathological processes related to insufficient apoptosis (based on the in vitro data) and oxidative stress due to its anti-lipidperoxidative effect.","PeriodicalId":7998,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Science and Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77499151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tiger Nut as A Functional Food, Pharmacological and Industrial Agent: A Mini Review","authors":"Abiola Fatimah Adenowo, M. Kazeem","doi":"10.2478/ast-2020-0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2020-0004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Tiger nut is a plant generally underutilized in many parts of the world where it grows mostly as a weed. It is loved by children and many adults for its milky sugary taste, without most consumers being aware of its nutritional and health benefits. The level of awareness on the importance of this wonderful and greatly enriched plant is indeed very low. This review is aimed at expounding some of the advanced scientific researches which authenticated the folk reports on the therapeutic potential of the plant. Research findings which present potential application of this wonderful plant in food industry, pharmaceutical formulation, agricultural production and biofuel generation are also elucidated.","PeriodicalId":7998,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Science and Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80248283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Production Usage, and Potential Public Health Effects of Aluminum Cookware: A Review","authors":"O. Alabi, Yetunde M. Adeoluwa","doi":"10.2478/ast-2020-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2020-0003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The ingestion of aluminum from food containers such as cookware, cans, utensils and wrappings and its subsequent release into the environment is a growing public health concern. Aluminum is widely used in manufacturing cookware due to its malleability, high heat conductivity, light weight, durability, availability and affordability. This paper therefore gives a review of most relevant literatures on the benefits and risks of the various types of aluminum cookware in use, the composition and the public health effects of aluminum ingestion. Studies that reported the leaching of aluminum from cookware into food and environmental effects of aluminum leaching were also reviewed. In the developing countries, aluminum cookwares are produced from scrap metals and has been reported to leach harmful substances including heavy metals such as: nickel, arsenic, copper, cadmium, lead, and aluminum into cooked food. Several factors have been reported to increase the rate of leaching of metals from aluminum cookwares. Exposure to metals from aluminum cookware and the public health effects have not been well studied, hence, our recommendation for more studies to elucidate the health effect of this practice. This review also presents measures that can limit exposure to the risks that may arise from the use of aluminum cookware.","PeriodicalId":7998,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Science and Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90260978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of Cellulose Acetate Reinforced Nanocomposite Fluorescence Film as Filter and Bio-Packaging Material with Antibacterial Properties","authors":"Y. Azeh, D. Adetitun, G. Olatunji, F. A. Adekola","doi":"10.2478/ast-2020-0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2020-0006","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In an effort at developing new filters and bio-packaging materials with antibacterial properties, nanocomposite fluorescence films of cellulose acetate reinforced with cellulose nanoparticles, methylcellulose nanoparticles, propylcellulose nanoparticles, toluene diisocyanate modified cellulose and cellulose acetate nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. The effects of the nanoparticles on the mechanical, crystallinity and morphology of the nanocomposite films was studied. The sensitivity of bacteria against the new nanocomposite films was experimented. Scanning electron microscopy showed the films to be well dispersed. Modulus increase was directly proportional to nanoparticle loading. Samples with maximum compatibility were cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs) loading of 40% with modulus of 113.3Mpa and toluene diisocyanate modified cellulose nanoparticles (TDI-CNPs) at 20% loading had 146.0Mpa. Others include cellulose acetate nanoparticles (CANPs) at 30% loading with 73.0Mpa; methylcellulose acetate nanoparticles (MCNPs) with 5% loading had a modulus of 87.3Mpa and pure cellulose acetate had 45.0Mpa. The films were applied as filters for the removal of cells of Bacillus; Enterococcus and Micrococcus sp. from the crude bacteriocin, with recoverability of 95.9% based on the bacteriocin produced. The films showed limited antibacterial properties against clinical Pseudomonas sp 1, Pseudomonas sp 2 and Proteus sp. It is concluded that the films showed limited antibacterial properties hence it has antibacterial potentials and capabilities.","PeriodicalId":7998,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Science and Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85713990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}