Gadau Journal of Pure and Allied Sciences

Flavonoid-rich extract of unripe Terminalia catappa Modulates Redox Status and Aging in Lead-Induced Neuro-genotoxic Drosophila

2024-11-27T09:17:00-07:00

Terminalia catappa (Indian almond) fruit is an oval fruit in shape, growing on a large tree found mostly in the tropical region. The tree has wide health applications and benefits various African and Asian communities. However, there is little documented evidence of its effects on neuroprotection and longevity. This study explored the neuroprotective potential of the flavonoid content from the unripe fruit part of the plant against lead-induced neurogenotoxicity in a fly model (Drosophila melanogaster). Two to three days old male and female flies were harvested and used for the experiment. Negative geotaxis and flies’ pupation assays were employed for the assessment of the flies' behavior. Phase II antioxidant enzymes’ activities and their expression levels were evaluated to ascertain the redox status of the flies before and after the toxicants exposure. Following the effective dose determination assay, 3.0 and 5.0 mg/g diets were found to be highly effective, meanwhile a concentration of 0.1 µg/g diet of lead (Pb) successfully induced neuro and genotoxicity. There was a remarkable improvement in the emergence of new and the locomotor function of the matured flies fed with the extract before their exposure to the toxic environment compared to the control group. Significant increase in the activity of Catalase, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Glutathione-s-transferase (GST) with concurrent reduction of AChE activity in the extract pre-fed flies. A similar effect was also recorded in the mRNA expression level of the corresponding genes when evaluated using a polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The collective findings of the present study revealed the potential neuro and gene protection effect of the studied extract through antioxidant and antiaging enzyme activities against Lead-induced toxicity in D. melanogaster. Showcasing the potential of the fruit as a source of nutraceuticals that could improve the wellness and quality of human lives when further studied.

Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Based Superabsorbent Hydrogel from Rice Husk Cross-Linked With Ethane-1, 2-Diamine Using a Microwave

2024-07-02T10:03:45-06:00

Superabsorbent hydrogels are being increasingly used as soil conditioners to enhance soil water retention, reduce the rate of irrigation and improve plant growth during drought. In the present work, superabsorbent hydrogel was prepared from cellulose based material with ethylenediamine as the crosslinking agent and evaluates it impact as water reservoir on maize growing in greenhouse. The cellulose isolated from rice husk, which has a basis to modify and obtain carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and monochloroacetic acid (MCA). The superabsorbent hydrogel was characterized by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The percentage swelling attained by optimum conditions of time, power and amount of cross-linker required for the production of most desirable, stable and high water absorptivity were investigated, the optimum swelling capacity was found to be 1175%. The control pot (no superabsorbent hydrogels) revealed a significant difference in plant growth parameter and growth yield parameters compared to the pots treated with superabsorbent hydrogels. Increase in hydrogel dose significantly affects the growth and yield parameter of the maize. The optimum were recorded at 5grams for the superabsorbent hydrogels.

Prevalence of Human Rotavirus Infection among under Five years Old Children Attending Some Selected Healthcare Facilities Within the Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria

2025-01-11T00:00:43-07:00

Rotavirus infection remains a leading cause of illness and death among children under five worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, including Nigeria. In Northeastern Nigeria, specifically Bauchi State, there is scarce information regarding the prevalence of enteric rotavirus. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of rotavirus in Bauchi State. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to identify children with symptoms related to rotavirus gastroenteritis, including watery diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, stomach pain and loss of appetite. Stool samples were aseptically collected from 200 children attending six selected healthcare facilities within the Bauchi metropolis. Rotavirus antigen was detected using an enzyme immunoassay kit. On the other hand, a standardized structured questionnaire was used to obtain additional information (socio-demographic factors, clinical symptoms and hospital location) from the parents/guardians of the children. In this study, the overall prevalence of rotavirus infection was 20.0%. The highest rate of rotavirus infection was in the 2 weeks to 2 months age group at 26.7%, and the lowest was in the 1 to 5 years group at 10.2%, although these differences were not statistically significant (P=0.119). Notably, rural residents had a higher infection rate (41.2%) compared to urban residents (4.3%), with a significant difference found (P=0.001). The study found a higher prevalence of rotavirus infection in children who don’t attend daycare (45.5%) than those who do (3.4%, P=0.001). Among children under five, the highest prevalence was at ATBU Teaching Hospital Bauchi Nigeria (26.7%), and the lowest was at Family Planning Kofar Wase, Bauchi (21.7%). However, statistical tests showed no association between infection and location (P=0.244). The study has demonstrated a high prevalence of rotavirus infection in Bauchi State Nigeria, with a significant association between rotavirus infection and attendance at daycare facilities and rural residences. There is an urgent need to implement the rotavirus vaccine.

The Histopathological Changes in the Gills and Liver of the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juveniles Exposed to Crude Stem Bark Extracts of Adenium obesum (Desert Rose)

2024-07-11T17:56:39-06:00

Histopathological alterations in fish organs are among the biomarkers used to measure the impact of toxicants, providing insights into the effects of environmental contamination on aquatic organisms. This study investigated the effects of acute concentrations (0.00, 6.5, 8.0, 9.5, 11.0 and 12.5 mg/L) of stem bark crude extract of Adenium obesum on the histopathological changes in the liver and gills of Clarias gariepinus juveniles over a period of 96 hours in a static non-renewable bioassay. Mean water quality parameters (free carbondioxide, dissolved oxygen content, pH and total alkalinity levels) and histo-architectural integrity of liver and gills were determined using standard methods. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found in all the studied physico-chemical parameters of the water compared with control. There was marked pieces of evidence of concentration-dependent alteration to the gills and liver histological organizations. The acute investigations revealed that acute exposure of catfish juveniles to A. obesum stem bark crude extract culminated in both water quality parameters and histological alterations in gills and liver more particularly the higher concentrations of extract in the acute exposure.

On the Mathematical Analysis of a Campylobacteriosis Model for Human and Animal Population

2025-01-24T10:00:09-07:00

Campylobacteriosis, a major cause of foodborne illnesses has continued to claim millions of lives globally. Thus, concerted needs to be put in place in order to curtail further loss of lives due to the disease. In this study, an analysis is conducted on the reproduction number, sensitivity analysis is also carried out on the parameters of the model connected to the reproduction number and the possibility of backward bifurcation of the campylobacteriosis mathematical model is explored. Results from the sensitivity analysis show that the most sensitive parameters are the infection rates, progression rate and the treatment rate for humans. It is further observed that as the human recruitment rate and treatment rate for symptomatic human population increases, the reproduction number also increases. This implies that it will not be possible to eliminate campylobacteriosis in the community with at least 70% treatment rate administered to the symptomatic human population. The analysis of the campylobacteriosis model reveals that the model exhibits the phenomenon of backward bifurcation under certain conditions, where a stable disease-free equilibrium (DFE) coexists with a stable endemic equilibrium (EE) when the associated reproduction number is less than unity. It is further shown for a special case that, a unique endemic equilibrium exists whenever the associated reproduction number is greater than unity.